Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa returns to Italy’s squad for the World Cup playoff against Northern Ireland as coach Gennaro Gattuso makes key changes.

LIVERPOOL forward Federico Chiesa has been recalled to Italy’s squad for their crucial World Cup qualifying playoff. Coach Gennaro Gattuso named a 28-man squad on Friday for the must-win match against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26.

Victory would send Italy to a final playoff on March 31 against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Failure would see the Azzurri miss a third consecutive World Cup finals.

Gattuso also recalled 22-year-old Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, who suffered a serious knee injury before Euro 2024. Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli, 21, returns after winning one cap in 2024, while 21-year-old Cagliari defender Marco Palestra earns his first call-up.

Chiesa, a Euro 2021 winner, has not played for Italy since their Euro 2024 last-16 defeat to Switzerland. Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was dropped from the squad.

Vicario started Italy’s penultimate group game, a 2-0 win in Moldova in November. He was on the bench three days later when Italy were thrashed 4-1 at home by group winners Norway.

 The Sun Malaysia