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Only a handful of nations have hosted soccer’s biggest stage more than once — but one stands above the rest. From Pelé’s final triumph to Maradona’s “Hand of God,” these World Cups made history.

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff in March but then would go on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

FIFA made the playoffs draw on Thursday that will send the winner between four-time champion Italy and the Northern Irish on March 26 to travel to face Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina five days later. At stake was a place at the first 48-team finals tournament in North America.

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Italy has not played at a

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