Bergamo, Italy – Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup rest on a high-stakes playoff campaign, and coach Gennaro Gattuso has announced his 28-man squad for the challenge. The Azzurri will face Northern Ireland on Thursday, March 26th, at the Stadio Grande Torino in Bergamo, with a potential final against the winner of Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Wales awaiting them. The pressure is immense for a nation that hasn’t featured in the World Cup since the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Gattuso’s selection features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent, with a notable return for Federico Chiesa. The Liverpool forward, who was a key figure in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, has struggled for consistent playing time in the Premier League this season, making only 54 minutes of appearances in 2026, but his inclusion underscores his importance to the national team setup. The squad announcement, made Friday, March 20th, signals a clear intent to leave no stone unturned in the quest for qualification.
Goalkeepers and Defensive Strength
The goalkeeping options are familiar, with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City, Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi, Napoli’s Alex Meret, and Cagliari’s Elia Caprile all included. A significant aspect of Gattuso’s squad is the depth in defense. He’s called up seven central defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), and Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli). This suggests a focus on defensive solidity as Italy navigates these crucial playoff matches. Adding further versatility is Diego Coppola of Paris FC and Inter’s Federico Dimarco.
Midfield Balance and Attacking Options
In midfield, Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), and Roma’s Niccolò Pisilli provide a mix of experience, energy, and creativity. Tonali’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy, as he continues to rebuild his career after a period of uncertainty.
The attacking line features Chiesa alongside Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), and Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta). Matteo Politano (Napoli) and Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter) as well earn call-ups, offering further options for Gattuso. Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah) completes the forward line.
Palestra Earns First Senior Call-Up
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is Cagliari’s Marco Palestra, a 2005-born talent who has impressed in Serie A this season. Described as potentially the best young player in the league for his consistency and performance, Palestra’s call-up represents a vote of confidence in the future of Italian football. His inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to the squad and provides an opportunity for the young player to make his mark on the international stage.
A Nation’s Hope Rests on These Playoff Games
Italy’s failure to qualify for the previous two World Cups – in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 – has been a source of national disappointment. Gattuso, appointed as head coach in 2025, faces the daunting task of restoring Italy’s place among the world’s elite. The team’s recent form has been inconsistent, adding to the pressure surrounding these playoff matches. The match against Northern Ireland will be a stern test, and Gattuso will need to carefully manage his squad to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the challenge.
The stakes are incredibly high. A victory against Northern Ireland would move Italy one step closer to securing a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Failure to do so would prolong the nation’s World Cup drought and raise serious questions about the future of Italian football.
Italy’s squad reflects a blend of experience and youth, with Gattuso clearly aiming to strike a balance between established stars and emerging talents. The inclusion of Chiesa and Palestra, in particular, highlights the coach’s willingness to embrace both proven quality and potential. The coming days will be crucial as the team prepares for what is arguably the most important match in recent Italian football history.
Following the match against Northern Ireland, Italy will await the outcome of the Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Wales tie. If they advance, they will face the winner in a final playoff showdown to determine their fate. The entire nation will be watching with bated breath, hoping to see the Azzurri return to the world stage.
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