Italy recall Acerbi, Orsolini and Zappacosta for 2026 World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Francesco Acerbi, Riccardo Orsolini, Davide Zappacosta and Matteo Gabbia return to the Italy squad for World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova.

The Serie A season concluded last night and the focus begins to turn towards the Nazionale, who begin their qualifying campaign for next summer’s tournament, which is co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Azzurri have been placed in Group I along with Norway, Moldova, Estonia and Israel.

They begin their campaign away to Erling Haaland’s Norway on Friday June 6, then host Moldova on Monday June 9.

Italy open 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti sings the national anthem prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

With the Manchester City striker in mind, Luciano Spalletti has recalled Inter defender Acerbi, who effectively neutralised Haaland twice in the 2023 Champions League Final and their meeting earlier this season.

Acerbi turned 37 in February and had not been involved in the Nazionale since the 0-0 draw with Ukraine in October 2023.

Orsolini, Zappacosta and Gabbia back for Italy

EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 1: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates after scoring a goal during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between Empoli FC and FC Bologna at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 1, 2025 in Empoli. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Another returning figure is Orsolini, who had not been called up since the friendlies before EURO 2024, as he has been on sparkling form at Bologna with 17 goals and five assists in 40 competitive games, culminating in the Coppa Italia triumph.

Spalletti is going for experience, bringing back Atalanta winger Zappacosta on the verge of his 33rd birthday, who had not been in the squad since November 2021.

His last cap for Italy was even further back, in September 2018.

Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta BC is challenged by Tommaso Pobega of Bologna FC during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Gewiss Stadium on February 04, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan defender Gabbia is much younger, only 25, but is yet to play a single senior Italy match, despite being called up once in October 2024.

There is a newcomer too, as Hellas Verona defender Diego Coppola gets his first call-up to the senior Italy squad.

Because the six Inter players are involved in the Champions League Final on May 31, they will only join up with their teammates from June 2.

Italy squad for Norway and Moldova

PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Diego Coppola of Hellas Verona FC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma and Verona at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 15, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Cesare Casadei (Torino), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);

Strikers: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).