Italy’s national football team received positive news regarding the fitness of several key players ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifier against Northern Ireland. Coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori, Matteo Politano, and Gianluca Mancini are all available for selection.
Injury Updates Before the Match
As Italy prepares for the important playoff semi-final taking place in Bergamo on Thursday at 19:45 GMT, Gattuso addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. The team’s injury situation has been a focus as it could impact their chances in the tournament.
- Riccardo Calafiori: Available and fully fit.
- Matteo Politano: Initially injured, but now cleared for gameplay.
- Gianluca Mancini: Included in the squad after overcoming minor issues.
Concerns for Bastoni and Scamacca
Despite the positive news for most players, there remain concerns regarding two team members: Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Scamacca. Gattuso provided updates on their conditions.
- Alessandro Bastoni: Participated in 30-35% of training but will be evaluated further.
- Gianluca Scamacca: Making progress but is not fully fit. He aims to stay with the squad in hopes of reaching the final.
Scamacca expressed a desire to remain with the team despite earlier considerations for his return home, hoping to contribute if Italy advances. Gattuso acknowledged the team’s resilience, noting that many players have battled through injuries to join the camp.
This upcoming match against Northern Ireland marks a crucial step on Italy’s path to the World Cup, with the team eager to secure a place in the final against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
