Jump To:SquadFixtures and resultsManagerStar PlayerBest XICopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterGennaro Gattuso has made his squad selection as Italy aim to secure a spot at the World Cup in this months play-off games.Italy are fighting for their spot at World Cup 2026, with the tournament squads starting to take shape and the Azzurri are up against Northern Ireland, then, if victorious, will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure qualification.Gattusos side are looking to land one of just four spots from the 16 teams involved in this months World Cup play-off matches.Article continues below You may like Northern Ireland World Cup 2026 squad: Michael O'Neill's latest selection ahead of the World Cup qualifying play-offs Albania World Cup 2026 squad: Sylvinho's latest selection ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs Slovakia World Cup 2026 squad: Francesco Calzona's latest selection ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs Italy finished second in their World Cup qualification group with 18 points, behind leaders Norway, who secured eight wins in eight.In their head-to-head clashes, Norway first beat Italy 3-0 in Oslo, then prevailed again with a 4-1 victory in Milan.Treat yourself to your favourite World Cup 2026 shirtadidas Men's FIFA...adidas Men's FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain Home T-Shirt in Dark Blue Size: XS $35Viewat Finish Lineadidas Men's FIFA...adidas Men's FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain Home T-Shirt in Dark Blue Size: Large $35Viewat Finish LineAdidas Men's...Adidas Men's White Argentina National Team Fifa x World Cup 2026 Home Replica Jersey - White $99.99Viewat Macy'sSpain 26 Home...Spain 26 Home Jersey $100Viewat Adidas USSpain 26 Home...Spain 26 Home Authentic Jersey $150Viewat Adidas USItaly, winners of Euro 2021 after a closely fought penalty shoot-out against England in the final, have failed to qualify for the World Cup since 2014.In their last appearance at the tournament, they exited in the group stage following two close losses to Costa Rica and Uruguay, and a 2-1 win against England.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.SquadItaly World Cup 2026 squad: The March selectionGK: Elia Caprile (Cagliari)GK: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta)GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)GK: Alex Meret (Napoli)DF: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)DF: Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli)DF: Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)DF: Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus)DF: Diego Coppola (Paris FC)DF: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)DF: Federico Gatti (Juventus)DF: Gianluca Mancini (Roma)DF: Marco Palestra (Cagliari)DF: Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)DF: Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli)MF: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)MF: Bryan Cristante (Roma)MF: Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan)MF: Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)MF: Niccolo Pisilli (Roma)MF: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)FW: Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna)FW: Pio Esposito (Inter Milan)FW: Moise Kean (Fiorentina)FW: Matteo Politano (Napoli)FW: Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta)FW: Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah)FW: Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)Fixtures and resultsFixturesMarch 26: Italy vs Northern Ireland, New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy Recent resultsNovember 16, 2025: Italy 1-4 Norway, San Siro, Milan, ItalyNovember 11, 2025: Moldova 0-2 Italy, Stadionul Zimbru, Chisinau, Moldova,October 14, 2025: Italy 3-0 Israel, Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, ItalyOctober 11, 2025: Estonia 1-3 Italy, A Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, EstoniaSeptember 8, 2025: Israel 4-5 Italy, Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, HungarySeptember 5, 2025: Italy 5-0 Estonia, New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy June 9, 2025: Italy 2-0 Moldova, Mapei Stadiun, Reggio Emilia, ItalyJune 6, 2025: Norway 3-0 Italy, Ullevaal, Oslo NorwayManagerWho is Italy's manager?Gennaro Gattuso has managed the likes of Napoli, Fiorentina and Milan - recording 335 appearances for the latter during his playing career, where he won two Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies.During his time as manager of the Rossoneri, he led the Italian giants to sixth and fifth-place finishes before departing the club by mutual consent.After similarly short and disappointing stints with Fiorentina, Valencia, Marseille and Hajduk Split, Gattuso took the job as head coach of Italy in June 2025, replacing Luciano Spalletti.Italy's Star PlayerWho is Italy's star player?Its rare for a goalkeeper to be considered the star of any team, but Gianluigi Donnarumma is ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo's list of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.The 27-year-old won the Yashin Trophy in 2025, after a treble with PSG, before departing for Manchester City.Donnarumma won the Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2020 when Italy emerged victorious, a first for a goalkeeper, proving hes the crucial difference maker on the international stage for his country.Best XITOPICSFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.With contributions fromMark WhiteContent Editor
