Top 5 teams who had to qualify for the FIFA World Cup via play-offs

#3. Italy- 1998

Pierluigi Casiraghi's goal hepled Italy qualify for the 1998 World Cup

It won’t be Italy’s first time in the play-offs this year as they have already experienced the play-off stage two decades ago. Italy were the best defense during the 1998 World Cup qualifiers as they conceded only one goal from their eight matches.

Despite Italy going unbeaten in their group and defeating England at Wembley, their goalless draws against Poland and Georgia resulted in England winning the group by one point. In the play-offs, Italy were up against Russia. An own goal from Fabio Cannavaro cancelled out Christian Vieri’s opening goal and the first leg at Moscow ended 1-1.

In the second leg at Naples, a 53rd minute strike from Pierluigi Casiraghi won Italy the leg and a place in the 1998 World Cup at France.