Italy announce squad for 2026 World Cup play-off vs Northern Ireland ft. Sandro Tonali & Gianluigi Donnarumma

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :March 20, 2026 at 9:40 PM

Modified at :March 20, 2026 at 9:40 PM

(Courtesy : Getty)

The Azurri will be hoping to book a spot in the competition.

Gennaro Gattuso, the coach of Italy, has selected his 28-man roster for the World Cup play-off, dropping Guglielmo Vicario and adding Federico Chiesa.

Gattuso’s team for the 2026 World Cup play-off was confirmed by the FIGC on Friday. Chiesa, a winger for Liverpool, rejoins the squad for the first time since 2024. Chiesa last participated in a national team match against Switzerland in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024.

Despite being hurt during Wednesday’s Champions League game against Barcelona, Newcastle star Sandro Tonali is included in the team. The former Milan star’s examinations on Thursday actually ruled out a major muscular lesion.

Gattuso has selected Elia Caprile, Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Alex Meret, while Vicario of Tottenham is left off the squad. Marco Palestra of Cagliari receives his first senior call-up.

On March 26, Italy are going to play Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal. On March 31, Italy will play either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina away in the possible final.

Italy squad for March international window

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 01: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United FC (8) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at RSC Anderlecht Stadium on October 01, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).

Defenders: 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), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli).

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

Attackers: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).

📋💙 La lista dei 28 convocati del Ct Gennaro Gattuso per i Playoff di qualificazione alla Coppa del Mondo FIFA 2026 🙌🏻 #Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/MXPM1XLX1W
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 20, 2026

When will Italy face Northern Ireland?

They will face them on 26th March.

Have Italy qualified for the World Cup?

No, they will play the first round of qualifiers against Northern Ireland.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.