Italy vs Northern Ireland live stream: how to watch World Cup 2022 qualifier online
Baraclough's men face tough opening match against the Azzurri
The Green and White Army kick off their campaign to reach Qatar with a tough Group C away fixture against Roberto Mancini's in-form Italy in Parma. Read on for your full guide to getting an Italy vs Northern Ireland live stream and watch this World Cup 2022 qualifier where it's being shown exclusively in the US on ESPN Plus.
Date: Thursday, March 25
Kick-off: 3.45pm ET / 12.45pm PT
Venue: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma (Italy)
Live stream: exclusively on ESPN Plus
Having tasted the heartbreak of missing out on making Euro 2022 in agonising style - losing at the final hurdle with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Slovakia in the play-off final Northern Ireland will be keen to get this qualifying campaign going on the right foot. Boss Ian Baraclough however has a major task on his hands, with his side coming into this crucial game off the back of a five-game winless run and a poor showing in the UEFA Nations League which saw them finish bottom of Group B2.
The Italians have meanwhile look back to their world-beating best, having won each of their 10 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures while also booking their place in the UEFA Nations League finals, after winning Group A1.
Keen to right the wrong of missing out on qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup – the first time Italy had not appeared on football's greatest stage since 1958 - Mancini will be looking for his side to put on a strong showing in this opening group fixture.
Follow our guide below for all the ways to watch Italy vs Northern Ireland online and get a World Cup 2022 qualifier.
- More football: how to watch Premier League live stream from anywhere
Italy vs Northern Ireland live stream: how to watch World Cup qualifier soccer online in the US
ESPN has the rights to the UEFA side of the World Cup qualifiers in the US, and the great news is that every quarter-final match will be shown live on its ESPN Plus streaming service. Italy vs Northern Ireland kicks off at 3.45pm ET/12.45pm PT.
ESPN+ only costs $5.99 per month and allows you to watch online as well as via its mobile app and TV streamer apps on the likes of Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, PS4 and Xbox. You'll save even more if you pay for a year in advance - that costs $59.99 for 12 months.
But there's even better value to be had, if you grab ESPN+ as part of the big Disney Plus Bundle. As well as ESPN Plus live coverage and documentary action, you'll get access to the hugely impressive Disney Plus catalogue - which features Marvel movies, every Simpsons episode ever, the complete Star Wars canon, Pixar films, and much more - plus all the great shows and movies that Hulu offers.
And the cost is super reasonable - for all that content, you only have to pay $12.99 a month for the Disney Plus bundle.
- More sport: here's how to watch an England vs San Marino live stream
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Kevin Lynch is a London-born, Dublin-based writer and journalist. The author of Steve Jobs: A Biographic Portrait, Kevin is a regular feature writer for a number of tech sites and the former Technology Editor for the Daily Mirror. He has also served as editor of GuinnessWorldRecords.com and has been a member of the judging panel for the BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards. Alongside reviewing the latest AV gear, smartphones and computers, Kevin also specialises in music tech and can often be found putting the latest DAWs, MIDI controllers and guitar modellers through their paces. Born within the sound of Bow Bells, Kevin is also a lifelong West Ham fan for his troubles.