Chiesa Out, Cambiaghi In for Italy Ahead of Crucial Playoff

Bergamo, Italy – A blow to the Italian national team as winger Federico Chiesa has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup playoff against Northern Ireland, confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday. The Liverpool player will not participate in Thursday’s semifinal match at the Stadio di Bergamo, and has already left the Coverciano training center. Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as a replacement by coach Luciano Spalletti.

Injury Details and Squad Changes

Chiesa’s fitness was assessed upon arrival at Coverciano, and staff determined he was not available for the two upcoming matches. While the specific nature of the injury hasn’t been detailed, the FIGC stated the decision was made in agreement with Liverpool. What we have is a significant setback for Spalletti, who was hoping to have the experienced Chiesa available for the high-stakes playoff.

Cambiaghi, 24, earns his call-up as a direct replacement. The Bologna forward has been in good form this season, and provides a different attacking option for the Azzurri. He will join the squad immediately and participate in training as Italy prepares for the crucial match against Northern Ireland.

Italy’s Playoff Path

Italy faces Northern Ireland in the semifinal of the World Cup playoff on Thursday, March 26th. A win would advance them to a final against either Bosnia and Herzegovina or Wales, with a spot in the 2026 World Cup on the line. The pressure is immense on Spalletti and his team, as Italy aims to qualify for the tournament after failing to do so in 2018, and 2022.

The team began their preparations at Coverciano today, holding their first training session. The atmosphere will undoubtedly be affected by Chiesa’s absence, but Spalletti will be looking for his players to rally and focus on the task ahead. For fans unfamiliar with the playoff format, this two-match system is a last chance for European teams who didn’t automatically qualify through the group stages to secure a place at the World Cup.

Full Italy Squad List

Here is the complete list of players called up by Luciano Spalletti for the playoff 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)
• Attackers: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Bologna), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)

The inclusion of Cambiaghi adds another dimension to Italy’s attacking options. He’s known for his pace and ability to take on defenders, and could prove to be a valuable asset in the crucial playoff matches.

What’s Next for the Azzurri?

Italy will continue their preparations at Coverciano, with the focus now shifting to adapting to Chiesa’s absence and integrating Cambiaghi into the squad. The team will hold further training sessions before traveling to Bergamo for the match against Northern Ireland on Thursday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 PM local time (CET).

The stakes are incredibly high for Italy. Failure to qualify for the World Cup would be a devastating blow for Italian football, and would raise serious questions about the future direction of the national team. Spalletti will be hoping his players can rise to the occasion and deliver a positive result against Northern Ireland, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.

Fans can follow the latest updates and team news on the official FIGC website and social media channels. The match against Northern Ireland is expected to be a tense and closely contested affair, and all eyes will be on the Azzurri as they battle for a place at the 2026 World Cup.