Moise Kean withdraws from Italy squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Norway & Moldova

The Azzurri will face Norway and Moldova in the qualifying matches.

Francesco Acerbi was called up by Italy to the team for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Norway and Moldova this month. Davide Zappacosta and Riccardo Orsolini were also called up. Striker Moise Kean withdrew from the squad due to a muscle problem.

Kean has left the training camp.The striker is unavailable for our upcoming games due to a muscle problem he picked up in yesterday's session. He has returned to his club for treatment.#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/Z9xjzEWhQo

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 5, 2025

Defender Acerbi served as a vital member of Inter Milan’s journey to the Champions League final this year. He last appeared for Italy in a 0-0 draw with Ukraine in November 2023.

Italy, still reeling from a string of qualifying setbacks, will launch their newest World Cup campaign in Norway tonight in an attempt to put a stop to 12 years of suffering.

The Azzurri must catch and beat their hosts to secure an automatic spot in the following year’s tournament after missing out on back-to-back finals.

Federico Dimarco, his fellow player, is also fit and ready to play after missing out on the Nations League quarterfinal squad in March due to an injury.

Matteo Gabbia of Milan has also returned to the team for the first time since October, while Davide Zappacosta, a 32-year-old wing-back for Atalanta, has also returned.

Our World Cup qualifying campaign starts today! 🔛#NORITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/PLS16OOLJf

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2025

Coppola, a 21-year-old defender for Verona, has also received a debut call-up. During the 2024–25 season, Coppola has been linked to moves to Milan and Juventus.

Norway, Estonia, Israel, and Moldova are in Group I, along with Italy, which previously made it to the World Cup in 2014. The four-time World Cup champion will host Moldova in Reggio Emilia three days after travelling to Oslo to play Norway on June 6.

Italy Manager Spalletti on Norway clash

Spalletti underlined the importance of the clash: “We know, the players and I, the importance of Friday’s game. This is the best Norway side ever, they’re a team with great physical qualities, especially up front. They play an attacking brand of football where Sorloth can play out wide and then move centrally. However, we have everything we need to play well and put a good performance together.

How will we line up to face them? With a three at the back, and I’ll have six players to choose from. We’ll always need to be aware of the fact that we might need to change our tactics during the game, like we did in the second half against Germany, in the quarter-final second leg of the Nations League”. 

Italy announce squad for matches against Norway & Moldova

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Cesare Casadei (Torino), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);

Forwards: Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).

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