World Cup 2026: Federico Chiesa returns to Italy’s squad for Northern Ireland qualifiers

Liverpool striker Federico Chiesa returns to the Italy squad after a two-year absence for the World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday (19:45 GMT).

The 28-year-old’s last international appearance came in the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Switzerland.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has announced his 28-man squad for the match, with the winner traveling to face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina four days later for a place in this summer’s World Cup finals.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has no place in the squad, while Cagliari defender Marco Balestra is called up for the first time.

Roma midfielder Nicolo Beselli and Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini also returned to the squad for the first time in two years.

The four-time champion is seeking to return to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the past two tournaments.

Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill announced his squad on Monday, which includes Sunderland defender Dan Ballard, despite a hamstring injury.

Italy lineup:

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

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Alessandro Bongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiore (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiasso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris), Federico Demarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Ballestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola. (Naples).

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Brian Cristante (Roma), Davide Fratesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolo Beselli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

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