Italy's Sudden Squad Shuffle: Gattuso Ramps Up for World Cup Qualifiers

Emergency changes to Italy's World Cup qualifiers squad

Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's head coach, was forced to make two mandatory changes to the Azzurri squad for the October international window after injuries to two call-ups surfaced in the last 48 hours.

The two-week league pause provides a calm window for Italy to prepare for two European qualifiers in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Italy are set to face Estonia and Israel on October 11 and 14 as part of the European qualifying campaign.

Gattuso had named a 27-man squad last Friday, but fitness concerns and injuries necessitated two substitutions.

On Saturday it was confirmed that Zaccagni would be unavailable for the Azzurri and Lazio, leading to Gattuso calling up Fiorentina striker Roberto Piccoli in his place.

Early Monday morning, Matteo Politano was also ruled out with an injury sustained in Sunday's Serie A clash with Genoa, prompting another call-up to the squad: Leonardo Spinazzola was recalled to replace him.

Spinazzola's recall marks his first Italy call-up since September 2023, and he has featured 24 times for the Azzurri across competitions, contributing six assists.

In addition, Spinazzola has played in six World Cup qualifying fixtures, with three assists in those games, and has also featured in European Championship and Nations League fixtures, plus four appearances in Euro and Nations League campaigns, adding a goal in the last three competitions combined.

And here is the updated Italy squad after these additions:

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

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiasso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Brighton & Hove Albion), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Matteo Gabia (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Destinì Oudji (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Hans Nicolò C filler Vi (Fiorentina), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United).

Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Bologna), Francesco Bío Esposito (Inter Milan), Moisés Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atlético Madrid), Matteo Ritij (Al-Qadsia), Roberto Piccoli (Fiorentina).

What has the Azzurri achieved in World Cup qualifying so far?

Italy sit second in Group 9 with 9 points from four games, six points behind the group leaders Norway, though the Azzurri have a game in hand after four matches.

The campaign began with a shocking away loss to Norway, 3-0, with goals from Sørloth, Nusa and Erling Haaland.

After that defeat, doubts about Luciano Spalletti’s grip on the team grew, and reports suggested his departure after Moldova, regardless of the result of that fixture.

Italy eventually beat Moldova 2-0 at home, with goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiasso, and Spalletti was dismissed immediately following the match. Gattuso was appointed as the new coach, and he began with a statement win of 5-0 over Estonia, followed by a 5-4 victory in the next group game.

Gattuso has so far presided over a perfect start, aiming to keep the momentum going and secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup in a tough group.

As of now, the Azzurri have played four matches, winning three and losing one, with 12 goals scored and seven conceded.

Two punchlines to keep you smiling: If football were a battle, Italy just switched to a higher-caliber backup plan. And remember: when in doubt, call up Spinazzola—he’s the guy who can turn a tough fixture into a laughably elegant counterattack.