Federico Chiesa has been ruled out of Italy national football team selection ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs, after being deemed unfit to feature, the Italian Football Federation confirmed.
The Liverpool forward will miss Thursday’s semi-final clash against Northern Ireland national football team, as well as a संभावित final against either Wales national football team or Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team next week.
Italy head into the play-offs under significant pressure, aiming to secure qualification and avoid missing a third consecutive FIFA World Cup—an outcome that would mark a historic low for the Azzurri.
While the FIGC did not disclose the exact nature of Chiesa’s injury, his absence continues a troubling pattern of fitness setbacks that have disrupted the 28-year-old’s career in recent years. Once a standout performer during Italy’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2020, Chiesa has struggled for consistency at both club and international level and has not featured for his country since their disappointing European Championship title defence in 2024.
At club level, Chiesa has found opportunities limited, largely operating as a squad option at Liverpool, further impacting his match sharpness heading into key international fixtures.
In response to his withdrawal, Bologna winger Nicolo Cambiaghi has been called up as a replacement.
Meanwhile, Italy are also monitoring the fitness of key players including Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca, both of whom are racing against time to recover from minor injuries ahead of Thursday’s decisive encounter.
