Italy Squad Announced for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

Rome, Oct 3 (AP) Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi and Fiorentina midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia made their debut call-ups for the Italy national team last Friday. The Azzurri, under pressure, are set to face Estonia and Israel in critical World Cup qualifiers.

At 24, Cambiaghi has an impressive record with eight goals and 12 assists across 88 Serie A games and has been capped 10 times by Italy's under-21 squad. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Nicolussi Caviglia progressed through Juventus' ranks, representing Italy at various youth levels from under-17 to under-21. Notably, former Italy coach Roberto Mancini included him in a developing players training camp in 2022.

Italy will travel to Estonia for an encounter on Oct. 11, before hosting Israel in Udine three days later. As four-time World Cup champions, Italy is keen to avoid missing out on a third consecutive World Cup. Currently, the Azzurri sits second in their group, trailing Norway by six points, though they have a game in hand.

To secure direct passage to the North American tournament next year, Italy must top their group. Should they finish second, they will enter a playoff — a stage at which they fell short during the 2018 and 2022 qualifiers.

Italy and Israel share the same points tally, with the Azzurri edging ahead on goal difference. However, UEFA is contemplating suspending Israel due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Returning to the national setup for the first time since June and October last year are Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante and AC Milan defender Matteo Gabbia. Coach Gennaro Gattuso is expected to rely heavily on his attacking duo of Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean.

Here's a look at the Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Brighton), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Matteo Gabbia (AC Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Hans Nicolussi Caviglia (Fiorentina), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Bologna), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio). (AP) UNG

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