Coach Gennaro Gattuso has announced Italy’s 28-man squad for the upcoming World Cup play-offs, featuring the highly anticipated return of Federico Chiesa and the notable exclusion of Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) officially confirmed the squad on Friday.
Liverpool’s winger Federico Chiesa makes his comeback to the national team after a hiatus since 2024. His last appearance for the Azzurri was in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match against Switzerland.
Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali is included in the squad despite sustaining an injury in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona. Medical examinations conducted on Thursday confirmed that the former AC Milan midfielder did not suffer a serious muscle injury, clearing him for selection.
Marco Palestra of Cagliari receives his inaugural senior call-up, marking a significant milestone in his career. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario misses out on a spot among the goalkeepers, with Gattuso opting instead for Elia Caprile, Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Alex Meret.
Italy is set to face North Macedonia in the play-off semifinal on March 26. Should they advance, a potential final match would be played on March 31, away against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a spot in the 2026 World Cup on the line.
Italy squad for 2026 World Cup play-off
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 FC), 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), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);
Attackers: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).