Italy Drops Chiesa From Playoff Squad as Cambiaghi Is Called Up

Overview

• An official FIGC statement said Federico Chiesa is unavailable for the next two fixtures and left camp by mutual agreement with his club.
• The federation did not disclose the specific nature of Chiesa's physical problem.
• Italy hosts Northern Ireland on Thursday in the playoff semifinal, with a March 31 away final against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina if it advances.
• Defender Alessandro Bastoni and forward Gianluca Scamacca are being monitored for discomfort as the staff assesses their availability.
• The qualifying window carries added pressure after Italy's playoff exits in 2018 to Sweden and in 2022 to North Macedonia.