Head coach Gennaro Gattuso has announced the official squad of the Italy national football team for the European playoff qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Italy is set to face Northern Ireland national football team on March 26 in Bergamo in a decisive semifinal clash, as the Azzurri aim to secure a place in the playoff final. The winner will meet either Wales national football team or Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
Key Inclusions and Omissions
The squad features several notable surprises, most prominently the return of Federico Chiesa, the Liverpool FC winger, after a period of absence. Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur has been left out.
Defender Leonardo Spinazzola returns to reinforce the left flank, while Alessandro Bastoni continues to anchor the defense.
In midfield, the team will rely on Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali, alongside emerging talent Nicolò Pisilli.
Full Italy Squad:
Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli).
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolò Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United).
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).
Italy will be aiming to secure a crucial victory to keep its hopes alive of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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