Gennaro Gattuso Announces Italy Squad Featuring Debutant Marco Palestra and Key Returns for World Cup Qualifiers

Gennaro Gattuso, the head coach of the Italian national football team, has announced a 28-player squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying play-off matches. The announcement, made on a Friday, includes notable developments such as the debut of right-back Marco Palestra from Cagliari and the return of winger Federico Chiesa, now playing for Liverpool.

This squad selection comes at a critical juncture for Italy as they prepare to face Northern Ireland in the first play-off match scheduled for March 26 in Bergamo. Victory in this fixture would lead the Azzurri to a play-off final away match on March 31 against the winner of the Wales versus Bosnia-Herzegovina encounter. These matches are pivotal in Italy's bid to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The inclusion of Marco Palestra marks a significant milestone for the young defender, who will be making his international debut. Additionally, the squad sees the return of Giorgio Scalvini and Niccolò Pisilli, who have been absent from the national team since March and November 2024, respectively. Their reintegration into the squad could provide fresh options and depth in defense and midfield.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali, currently with Newcastle, has also been called up, dispelling recent concerns about his fitness following Newcastle's UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona. This suggests that Tonali is considered ready to contribute to Italy's crucial qualifying campaign.

The full squad list includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talents across all positions. Goalkeepers named are Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), and Alex Meret (Napoli). The defensive line features Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), and Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli). Midfielders include Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle). The forward options are Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), and Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).

Looking ahead, Italy's immediate focus will be on preparing for the match against Northern Ireland, which represents a crucial step towards World Cup qualification. Depending on the outcome, the team will then have to quickly regroup for the final play-off match. The squad selection reflects Gattuso's strategic approach to balancing experience with emerging talent, aiming to navigate the challenges of the play-offs successfully.