Four-time World Cup winners Italy are preparing for a high-stakes play-off final against Bosnia and Hercegovina on Tuesday, March 31, as they look to end a 12-year absence from the global stage. Former 2006 winner Gennaro Gattuso is leading the Azzurri as they aim to qualify for this summer's 48-team tournament in North America. The match in Zenica is expected to be hostile, with Bosnia's 40-year-old captain Edin Džeko looking to lead his nation to only its second-ever World Cup appearance. 

In other international football news, New Zealand's All Whites are set to face Chile today, March 30, at Eden Park in their final test before the World Cup. Friendly results from March 29 saw France defeat Colombia 3-1 and Tunisia secure a 1-0 win over Haiti. Meanwhile, Germany is scheduled to face Ghana in another high-profile international friendly today.