Calafiori out for Italy, but Arsenal hopeful he can face Tottenham | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out of the Italy squad for tonight’s World Cup qualifier with Norway, but Arsenal are confident he’ll be ready to face Tottenham.

The match kicks off at San Siro this evening at 19.45 GMT.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy goes down with an injury during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The defender had already skipped Thursday’s 2-0 victory in Moldova with a hip issue and never returned to full training with the rest of his Azzurri teammates.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that although Calafiori had ‘pushed,’ it was not fair to risk the former Bologna player for Italy or Arsenal.

Calafiori not ready for Italy

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 07: Andrea Cambiaso and Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during an Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 07, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

According to the latest reports, Arsenal doctors spoke with the Italy medical staff and agreed that Calafiori will nonetheless be ready to play in the North London Derby against Tottenham next weekend.

He is not returning to London early, though, as he wants to be in the stands to cheer on his teammates in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier.

The result is going to be largely irrelevant, as even if Italy win and move to the top on the same points as Norway, it would require a 9-0 win to overturn the huge gap in goal difference.

This means the Nazionale are heading to the play-offs in March 2026 for a place at the World Cup.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 04: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s seventh goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC at PSV Stadion on March 04, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is also left out, as he is one yellow card away from suspension.

The outstanding cards are all wiped clean after the group stage is completed.