Liverpool striker Federico Chiesa has been called up by Italy for the upcoming World Cup play-offs for the first time in almost two years, with the Azzurri desperate to avoid missing out on a third successive edition.
Italian national coach Gennaro Gattuso put together a 28-man squad on Friday.
The four-time World Cup champion must beat Northern Ireland in the play-offs in Bergamo on Thursday and then Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina – five days later – to avoid not playing a match at football’s biggest event for at least 16 years.
Chiesa, who helped Italy win the 2021 European Championship, made the last of his 51 international appearances at Euro 2024 in the round of 16 defeat to Switzerland.
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He left Juventus for Liverpool in August 2024 but struggled for game time and made just one Premier League start this season. Chiesa had started his career at Fiorentina.
The 28-year-old forward has established himself as a fan favorite at Liverpool thanks to his high energy and passionate attitude.
Cagliari defender Marco Palestra was included in the Italy squad for the first time. Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini and Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli return after almost two years of absence.
Italy was eliminated in the play-offs by Sweden for the 2018 World Cup and by North Macedonia in 2022.
Italy selection for World Cup qualifying matches
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).
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).
Published on March 20, 2026
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