While Spain, England, and France are preparing for mostly inconsequential friendlies this month (although important to prepare for World Cup in the summer), Italy needs to focus on this international break, as they cannot afford to fail if they want one of the last four spots available for UEFA teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Italy is in Path A of the European qualifiers, and plays against Northern Ireland on March 26 at 20:45 CET, 19:45 GMT. If they win, they will play against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31, at the same hour.
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso announced their squad on Friday, which includes Liverpool striker Federico Chiesa for the first time since 2024, midfielder Sando Tonali from Newcastle and goalkeeper Donnarumma from Manchester City, but removes Vicario from Tottenham.
Italy squad for World Cup qualifiers in 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
Attackers:
Federico Chiesa - Liverpool
Francesco Pio Esposito - Inter
Moise Kean - Fiorentina
Matteo Politano - Napoli
Giacomo Raspadori - Atalanta
Mateo Retegui - Al-Qadsiah
Gianluca Scamacca - Atalanta