Chiesa returns, teenage defender Palestra earns first call as the Azzurri prepare for a defining week
Italy’s road to the 2026 World Cup is about to begin.
Head coach Gennaro Gattuso will gather his squad in Coverciano on March 22, following the latest round of Serie A fixtures, to begin preparations for a decisive playoff against Northern Ireland national football team.
The match, set for March 26 in Bergamo, represents the first step in a two-game path to qualification. If Italy advance, they will face either Wales or Bosnia away on March 31, with a World Cup ticket on the line.
The Azzurri head into the game with confidence in Bergamo, where they remain unbeaten. Their last appearance there ended in a dominant 5–0 win over Estonia—Gattuso’s debut on the Italy bench.
Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Alex Meret
Marco Carnesecchi
Elia Caprile
Defenders
Alessandro Bastoni
Alessandro Buongiorno
Riccardo Calafiori
Andrea Cambiaso
Diego Coppola
Federico Dimarco
Federico Gatti
Gianluca Mancini
Marco Palestra
Giorgio Scalvini
Leonardo Spinazzola
Midfielders
Nicolò Barella
Bryan Cristante
Davide Frattesi
Manuel Locatelli
Niccolò Pisilli
Sandro Tonali
Forwards
Federico Chiesa
Francesco Pio Esposito
Moise Kean
Matteo Politano
Giacomo Raspadori
Mateo Retegui
Gianluca Scamacca
Gattuso’s squad blends experience with emerging talent. The return of Chiesa adds creativity and explosiveness, while the inclusion of young players like Palestra signals a forward-looking approach.
With Tonali cleared after his recent injury scare and a sold-out crowd expected in Bergamo, Italy heads into the playoff knowing there’s no margin for error—but plenty of belief.
