Gattuso calls up Italy with Federico Chiesa for 2026 World Cup play-offs

Coach Gennaro Gattuso announced, this Friday morning, on Roma, the list of 28 players called up to defend the Itália team in the Eliminatórias Europeias playoff. The four-time world champion will face Irlanda of Norte on March 26, at

Among the main news on the list is the return of striker Federico Chiesa, who currently defends Liverpool, from Inglaterra. Apesar going through a period of low performance at the English club, the player received the trust of Gattuso to reinforce the offensive sector in a life or death duel. The call-up also served to officially present the team’s new blue uniform, which will be used during this decisive phase and, if classification is confirmed, in the final phase of the world competition.

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The challenge of Itália against Irlanda of Norte in Bergamo

Italian preparation for this decisive clash focuses on defensive stability and midfield renewal. The game in

The strategy to face Irlanda from Norte involves a tactical scheme that favors possession of the ball and constant pressure on the opponent’s exit from the game. The technical committee understands that the home factor will be decisive in pushing the team towards victory, especially after the stumbles in the previous stages that pushed the team into the playoffs. The players report to the Coverciano training center in the coming days to begin intensive fieldwork and video analysis.

• The match against Irlanda of Norte takes place at 8:45 pm local time in Bergamo.
• The winner of this match will advance to face the winner of País of Gales and Bósnia.
• Itália has not competed in the knockout phase of Copa from Mundo for over a decade.

Detailed list of the 28 called up by Gennaro Gattuso

The defensive sector has experienced names such as Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco, both pillars of Inter and Milão, as well as young promises that have been standing out on the European scene. Riccardo Calafiori, from Arsenal, was also confirmed, reinforcing the defense line with its versatility and quality in releasing the ball. The presence of Giorgio Scalvini, from Atalanta, guarantees in-depth knowledge of the pitch where the match will take place, offering an additional tactical advantage.

In midfield, leadership falls to Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali, who are responsible for dictating the pace of the game and connecting defense to attack. Davide Frattesi and Manuel Locatelli are also part of the group, offering marking options and surprise arrivals in the opponent’s area. Gattuso sought to balance the physical vigor necessary for the repechage with the refined technique required to break through defensive gaps, common characteristics in teams that play on the counterattack like Irlanda of Norte.

The return of Federico Chiesa and offensive options

The call-up of Federico Chiesa generated debates in the local sports press due to his current situation at Premier League, where he has only had a few minutes on the field. Entretanto, the Italian coach highlighted that Chiesa’s international experience and his decision-making ability in big games are fundamental for the group at this tense moment. Além of him, the attack has Mateo Retegui, who has performed well in Catar’s football, and the young Francesco Pio Esposito, seen as one of the great promises of the new generation.

Other important names in the offensive sector include Gianluca Scamacca and Moise Kean, players who offer presence in the area and physical strength. The idea of ​​Gattuso is to have tactical variations that allow you to change the style of play according to the needs of the match schedule. Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori offer speed on the wings, being viable options to replace Chiesa if the Liverpool attacker does not present ideal physical conditions during training.

How the European repechage system works

The path to Copa from Mundo in 2026 through the European play-offs is made up of 16 teams divided into groups of four teams. In the current model, each group competes in two semi-finals in a single game and a final also in a single game to determine who takes the place. Itália is placed in a bracket where, if it wins the first commitment, it will have to face a second decision just five days later, on March 31st.

This system does not allow for errors, as a negative result in any of the stages means automatic elimination and the end of the globalist cycle for the countries involved. Além of the confrontation between Itália and Irlanda of Norte, other traditional teams such as Suécia, Turquia and The pressure on Azzurra is considered the greatest among all participating teams due to the recent history of absences in 2018 and 2022.

• Eight semi-finals will be played simultaneously across the European continent.
• Only four teams will guarantee the final spot after the decisive matches in March.
• The venues for the finals are defined by preliminary draw carried out by the continental federation.
• The tiebreaker criteria in case of equality in normal time foresees extra time and penalties.

New uniform and visual identity of Azzurra

Coinciding with the announcement of the squad list, the Italian federation and its sporting equipment supplier revealed the new reserve shirt that will be used during the season. The design seeks to rescue classic elements from the history of Italian football, using a deep blue tone with modern technological details to improve athletes’ performance on the field. The launch is part of a global campaign that involves other elite teams that are also competing in the decisive stages of the qualifiers.

The new outfit symbolizes a new beginning for the team, which is trying to leave behind the frustrations of recent years and rebuild its image in front of the fans. The number 2 uniform features alternative colors that will be debuted precisely in the repechage, symbolizing the team’s readiness for any challenge. Para the managers of Italian football, the visual renovation follows the technical renovation proposed by Gattuso since he took charge of the national team with the aim of modernizing the style of play.

Recent history and the need for classification

Since being eliminated in the first phase of the Copa of the 2014 Mundo, held at the Brasil, the Itália has faced a period of instability in world-class competitions. The absence in the Rússia in 2018 and the Catar in 2022 hurt the prestige of the four-time champion, generating severe criticism of the training of new athletes and the country’s sports management. Classification for 2026 is seen not just as a sporting objective, but as an economic and social necessity to keep interest in the sport high.

The internal pressure is intensified by the fact that Itália recently beat Eurocopa, proving that it has the talent to compete at a high level, but systematically failing in the qualifiers for Mundial. Gattuso has emphasized that the current group has the necessary resilience to break this negative cycle and return Azzurra to football’s main stage. Training in Coverciano will be closed to the press most of the time, aiming for total focus on the strategy to beat the Northern Irish.

Fan expectations and environment in Bergamo

The choice of Bergamo as the venue for the game against Irlanda of Norte was strategic, aiming for a stadium where the pressure from the fans would be felt closely by the opponents. The local public is known for its passion and should fill the stands to support Gattuso’s squad from the first minute of the game. Ticket sales sold out within hours of going on sale, demonstrating that, despite recent traumas, support for the Italian team remains unwavering.

The atmosphere in the city is one of cautious optimism, with local authorities preparing a special security and reception scheme for fans who will come from other regions of the country. The expectation is that the event will boost the local economy and serve as a catalyst for national unity around the common objective of the classification. The players expressed on social media their desire to repay this affection with a convincing performance and the positive result necessary to advance to the repechage final.

Goalkeeper performance and defensive security

Gianluigi Donnarumma, now at Manchester City, continues to be the absolute reference behind the goalposts and the team captain in moments of crisis. Sua leadership is essential for organizing the defense and transmitting confidence to younger teammates, such as Elia Caprile and Marco Carnesecchi, who are also part of the group of archers called up. Defensive solidity is the historical trademark of Itália and Gattuso intends to revive this characteristic as the basis for success in the European playoff.

Alex Meret, from The competition for starting positions in the other positions in the defense remains open, with Alessandro Buongiorno and Gianluca Mancini fighting for a place alongside Bastoni. The versatility of the full-backs, such as Leonardo Spinazzola and Andrea Cambiaso, allows Itália to alternate between a line of four or three defenders, depending on the tactical stance adopted by Irlanda and

The Italian team will enter the field under the watchful eyes of the entire football world, aware that any result other than victory will be catastrophic. Emotional balance will be as important as physical preparation, and the presence of experienced players like Barella and Chiesa will be the difference in remaining calm in moments of greatest pressure. The path is arduous, but the call-up of Gattuso signals a clear commitment to talent and tradition to overcome the ghost of past eliminations and stamp the passport for Mundial.