Irish FA president Jim Boyce had been hoping to get Italy
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Italy have turned down an invitation to play Northern Ireland as part of their World Cup warm-up programme.
Irish FA president Jimmy Boyce had been hoping to get the Italians to agree to a friendly international at Windsor Park in late May.
But NI manager Lawrie Sanchez, in Switzerland for the Euro 2008 draw, revealed the Italians had declined.
He said Italian manager Marcello Lippi preferred to play a country which would also be at the World Cup finals.
The IFA is still hoping Italy will come to Windsor Park for a friendly sometime after the World Cup.
The sides last met in a friendly in Campobasso in June 2003. Italy won 2-0 against a Northern Ireland team then managed by Sammy McIlroy.
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