Federico Chiesa back in Italy squad for 2026 World Cup play-offs as Diego Coppola called up | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Gennaro Gattuso named his Italy squad on Friday for the 2026 World Cup play-offs. Federico Chiesa returns, Sandro Tonali is included despite injury doubts, and Paris FC centre-back Diego Coppola is called up.

Italy face Northern Ireland on Thursday at 20:45. If they win, they would meet Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday 31 March for a place at the finals.

Chiesa, 28, has been absent since June 2024 when Italy went out in the Euro round of 16. The Liverpool winger has 51 caps and 7 goals. After limited minutes in 2024-2025, he has 31 appearances this season, including 22 in the Premier League.

Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta returns after missing since March 2024, with Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli also back for the first time since November 2024. Tonali, injured on Wednesday against Barcelona in a 2-7 Champions League last 16 second leg, is named.

Cagliari defender Marco Palestra receives his first call-up. Gattuso’s squad also includes Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, Pio Esposito and Mateo Retegui. Coppola, on loan from Brighton since January, has two caps, while former PSG striker Moise Kean is selected.

Source: L'Équipe