PARIS, France: Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football’s biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a major tournament. AFP Sport previews the play-off finals that will decide the last four European qualifiers for this summer’s 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada: Bosnia and Hercegovina v Italy Gennaro Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner, is trying to lead Italy back to the tournament after the Azzurri missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions, but they can expect a hostile atmosphere in Zenica.

PARIS, France: Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football’s biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a…

Having gained independence in 2008, Kosovo are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup and sparking "the biggest celebrations ever seen in Pristina".