Italy make shock Federico Chiesa decision

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Federico Chiesa was called up for the final Italy camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this summer. Image Credits: Imago Images For Federico Chiesa has been missing at international level, watching from the sidelines as Italy embarked on their desperate mission to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence.

Chiesa was officially included in Gattuso’s 28-man squad on Friday, March 20th, for the all-important World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26th. It marked his first Italy call-up since Euro 2024 – almost two years absent from the Azzurri setup – and with a potential final against Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina to follow on March 31st, the stakes could hardly have been higher for a nation on the brink of a third straight World Cup miss.

The FIGC confirmed the news, with Calciomercato reporting the federation’s statement: “The player Federico Chiesa, having verified his physical condition once he arrived at the Federal Technical Center, was deemed unavailable for the next two matches and, in agreement with the club, left the national team training camp. For Chiesa, it is yet another cruel twist – recalled to the most important Italy camp in years, only to be ruled out before a ball was even kicked.