Tottenham statement confirms reason behind Vicario absence from Italy squad | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery and will be ruled out of action for around a month, which is why he is not part of the 28-man Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off, which kicks off next week.

Why is Vicario not in the latest Italy national team squad?

CT Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed his squad of 28 players to take on Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on March 26. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in a one-legged play-off final on March 31.

Among Gattuso’s selections are four goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Alex Meret (Napoli) and Elia Caprile (Cagliari), but there is no Vicario, who has been Italy’s regular second-choice for most of the last two years.

Initially, there had been speculation over Vicario’s form at Tottenham being the reason behind his absence from the Italy squad, however, Spurs have since confirmed that the former Empoli stopper requires surgery and will not be available for the play-offs.

Tottenham’s statement explains that Vicario has decided to have surgery now in order to minimise the impact on his season at club level. It is, and was always expected that Donnarumma will start in the play-off semi-final and the final should Italy qualify.

“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia,” read a statement from Tottenham on Friday.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at City Ground on December 14, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

“The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal impact on our season as possible.

“Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.”