Chiesa Returns to Italy Squad for Crucial World Cup Playoffs
Bergamo, Italy – Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has been named to the Italy national team for the first time in nearly two years, as coach Gennaro Gattuso prepares for a pivotal World Cup playoff campaign. The Azzurri face a challenging road to qualification, needing to overcome two opponents to secure a spot in the tournament.
Desperate Times for Italy
Italy, four-time World Cup champions, must defeat Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, followed by a match against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina five days later. Failure to navigate these playoffs would mean missing a third consecutive World Cup, a scenario Italy is desperate to avoid
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Chiesa’s Return: A Boost for Gattuso
Chiesa, a key figure in Italy’s European Championship victory in 2021, last represented his country at Euro 2024. His move to Liverpool in August 2024 has been met with limited playing time – just one Premier League start this season – but his inclusion in the squad is seen as a significant boost by coach Gattuso.
New Faces and Returning Players
Alongside Chiesa, Cagliari defender Marco Palestra has received his first-ever call-up to the national team. Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini and Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli also return to the squad after extended absences.
“Gennaro Gattuso has finally managed to convince Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa to return to the Italy national team squad for the first time since EURO 2024.”
Football Italia
Recent Playoff Heartbreak
Italy’s recent World Cup qualification attempts have ended in disappointment, falling short in the playoffs against Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
Italy Squad – March 2026
- 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)
FAQ
- When is Italy’s first playoff match?
- Italy will play Northern Ireland on Thursday in Bergamo.
- Who is the Italy coach?
- Gennaro Gattuso is the current coach of the Italy national team.
- Has Chiesa played regularly for Liverpool?
- Chiesa has struggled for consistent playing time at Liverpool, making only one Premier League start this season.
The stakes are high for Italy as they attempt to end their World Cup drought and return to the world’s biggest stage. Chiesa’s return provides a spark of hope, but Gattuso’s squad faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming playoffs.
Stay tuned to 247sports.news for continued coverage of the World Cup playoffs and all the latest in international soccer.