Ex-Leeds coach hopes Gnonto returns to Italy squad for 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Canada national team coach Jesse Marsch hopes to meet Italy and his former striker Wilfried Gnonto in the 2026 World Cup.

Canada coach Marsch hopes to meet Italy in the 2026 World Cup group stage later this year.

The Azzurri have yet to qualify for the competition, but if they do, they’ll meet Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in the group phase.

Marsch hopes to meet Italy at the World Cup

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Players of Italy during the National Anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“I have a home in Tuscany and a soft spot for your football,” Marsch said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

“My favourite player was Demetrio Albertini. I hope to meet you again in the United States, and I really hope to see Gnonto as well, whom I coached at Leeds.”

Gnonto has only provided three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions with Leeds this term. He has scored one goal in 13 games with the Italy national team.

Gnonto’s Italy debut under Mancini

epa10710974 Italy’s Wilfried Gnonto celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Under-21 Championship group stage match between Switzerland and Italy in Cluj, Romania, 25 June 2023. EPA-EFE/ALEX NICODIM

The 22-year-old winger made his senior Azzurri debut in 2022 under Roberto Mancini, but has not played for the Azzurri since September 2023.

Italy will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoff semifinal on March 26, and if they qualify for the Final, they’ll meet the winner of Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina away.

During the same interview, Marsch also spoke about Canada striker David, who has recently netted his second Serie A goal for Juventus.