Article by Romeo Ene – Published Friday, March 20, 2026, 3:04 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 20, 2026, 3:05 p.m.
Italy will contest the qualification play-off for the 2026 World Championship. The four-time world champion has missed the last two editions of the final tournament. Northern Ireland is the first opponent, on March 26 (9:45 p.m.). If they go through, they will play the winner of Wales and Bosnia.
coach Gennaro Gattuso (48 years old) announced on Friday the list of 28 players summoned for this tie.
The big news is the debut of Marco Palestra (21), Cagliari's right-back, while Federico Chiesa (28), Liverpool's winger, returns to the “Squadrei Azzurra”.
Also returning are Giorgio Scalvini and Niccolo Pisilli, absent since March and November 2024 respectively.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has also been called up after there were question marks over his fitness following the Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Inter Milan, the team coached by Cristi Chivu, has 5 footballers called up: Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi and Francesco Pio Esposito.
Italy's group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
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) and Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli);
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma) and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah) and Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).
Italy will face Northern Ireland on March 26 in Bergamo. If they win, they will play the play-off final away on March 31 against the winner of Wales and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
