Gattuso names Italy squad to chase Copa spot after 12 years | OneFootball

The coach of the Italian national team, Gennaro Gattuso, announced this Friday a list of 27 players for the matches against Moldova (November 12), in Chisinau, and Norway (November 16), in Milan, in which the ‘Azzurra’ will seek to return to the World Cup after 12 years.

The Italian team, which did not participate in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, faces these two matches to secure a direct spot in next year’s edition.

Gattuso, who has been in charge of the team since June, included Inter Milan midfielder Nicolò Barella in his list, who, however, will serve a suspension against Moldova.

Also called up were striker Gianluca Scamacca, who played in Euro 2024 and spent some time sidelined due to injury, and defender Alessandro Buongiorno, who had not been called up since March.

The only surprise was the call-up of four goalkeepers and, for the first time, Elia Caprile from Cagliari.

Italy has already secured second place in Group I, which at least guarantees a playoff spot, but can still secure a direct berth at the 2026 World Cup if they beat Moldova and Norway.

To do so, however, they will have to score many goals in these last two matches of the European Qualifiers to surpass the Norwegian team, which leads the group with a three-point advantage and a much better goal difference (+26 to +10).

Since succeeding Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed in June, Gattuso has breathed new life into the Italian team, which under his command has won four consecutive matches, scoring 16 goals.

Italy National Team Squad List

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.