Possible Italy changes in XI for World Cup play-off Final | OneFootball

After securing a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, Gennaro Gattuso could make a couple of changes to the Italy XI for the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Two Italy changes for World Cup play-off final?

Italy are preparing for the World Cup play-off Final to be played away in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, March 31.

The Azzurri progressed to the Final by beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo on Thursday, while Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a victory on penalties away at Wales.

Azzurri coach Gennaro Gattuso has a few days to work with the team, but Italian media are already suggesting that the CT could make a couple of line-up changes for the Final.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Alessandro Bastoni’s fitness must be assessed as the Inter star returned to action against Northern Ireland after spending the previous two weeks on the sidelines and was subbed off around minute 60 after receiving a yellow card.

If Bastoni is fit to start, he’ll surely retain his starting spot; otherwise, Federico Gatti seems favourite over Alessandro Buongiorno and Giorgio Scalvini to join Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori in a three-man defence.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The other main doubt appears to be in attack, especially after Pio Esposito’s encouraging display as a substitute and Mateo Retegui’s big miss against Northern Ireland

Even Italy and Inter legend Beppe Bergomi argued last night that Pio Esposito, scorer of three goals in six Italy appearances, should be considered for a starting spot in the Final.