Italy Reveals Squad for FIFA World Cup Playoffs
Italian Team Announced for World Cup Playoffs
Rome [Italy], March 20: The Italian national team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup playoffs was announced on Friday.
This squad comprises 28 players, including midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, who was previously uncertain due to a muscle injury. Federico Chiesa from Liverpool makes his return, while Marco Palestra of Cagliari receives his first call-up, according to reports from a sports news outlet.
Notably absent from the squad are Zaccagni, Orsolini, Bernardeschi, Vicario, and Zaniolo.
Italy is set to face Northern Ireland in the playoff semifinals on March 26, with the first leg taking place at home in Bergamo. Should they triumph over Northern Ireland, the team, led by captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, will compete in an away final against either Wales or Bosnia on March 31, with a spot in the World Cup on the line.
The four-time champions have missed qualification for the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022, finishing 22nd in their last appearance and exiting in the group stage. The tournament is scheduled to occur from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Italy's 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 FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli); Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolo Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle); Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).