Bearing the scars of successive qualifying failures, Italy begin their quest to end 12 years of hurt on Friday evening, when they kick off their latest World Cup campaign in Norway.

After missing out on back-to-back finals, the Azzurri must catch and surpass their hosts to book an automatic place at next year's edition, but the Norwegians have a six-point head start.

With maximum points safely in the bank from their first two fixtures, Norway lead Group I by three, with only one nation going straight through to the 2026 World Cup.

After starting with a five-goal thrashing of Moldova, Stale Solbakken's side then beat Israel 4-2 in neutral Hungary, so they are in pole position to qualify directly from a five-team group.

Previously, a new 'golden generation' had achieved promotion to the UEFA Nations League's top tier ahead of Austria and Slovenia, so confidence should be sky-high in the camp.

Italy now enter the fray after taking part in the Nations League quarter-finals, but Norway should at least clinch second place, which would earn them another shot at qualification via the playoffs.

The Nordic nation have not appeared at a World Cup since 1998 and last made a major tournament at Euro 2000, but with stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading the charge, they expect to end that drought this time around.

Ahead of a clash with their main rivals for top spot, the Norwegians know that another victory in Oslo would put them firmly on track. However, their head-to-head record with Italy does not stack up well.

Including the pair's last meeting on the road to Euro 2016, they have played four qualifiers this century, resulting in three Italian wins and one draw.

Almost 11 years on from their last trip to Ullevaal Stadion, which ended with a 2-0 win, Italy will return needing to avoid defeat at all costs.

In their absence, Norway have built up a formidable lead and an impressive goal difference, so losing on Friday would deliver a huge blow to hopes of swerving the high-stakes playoffs.

Of course, the Azzurri have twice failed to make the World Cup, either side of being crowned European champions - first in 2018, then again four years later - due to collapsing under the pressure of expectation.

Their last appearance was a meek group-stage exit at Brazil 2014, so the four-time winners are simply desperate to be involved in next summer's global gathering.

Since replacing Roberto Mancini, national coach Luciano Spalletti has overseen a last-16 loss at Euro 2024 and a Nations League quarter-final exit to Germany, meaning patience is wearing thin with some supporters.

The latter tie saw La Nazionale follow a 2-1 home defeat with an uneven 3-3 draw in Dortmund, where they trailed 3-0 at the break before salvaging some pride after half time.

Not only did Italy miss out on a place in the last four, but they would also have hosted this month's finals; instead, they begin another World Cup qualifying campaign at the very end of a tiring season, with surely their toughest test coming first.

Norway possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg, Schjelderup; Sorloth, Haaland

Italy possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Kean