Chiesa’s Absence Complicates Italy’s World Cup Play-off Preparations

Italy’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup play-offs have been significantly impacted by the ongoing situation surrounding Federico Chiesa, who has turned down several call-ups this season. The Liverpool winger, who has recorded two goals and three assists for his club, is in strong form yet continues to withdraw from national team obligations.

Since taking over as head coach this year, Gennaro Gattuso has sought to incorporate Chiesa into the squad. However, Chiesa has declined to participate in four or five different training camps, including the recent qualifiers against Moldova and Norway. His last appearance for Italy occurred during Euro 2024 when the Azzurri were eliminated by Switzerland in the Round of 16, a defeat that sparked substantial criticism throughout the nation.

As Italy confronts a challenging play-off route—facing Northern Ireland in the semi-final and potentially Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final—Chiesa’s absence has emerged as a crucial narrative. This tension prompted Gattuso to make pointed comments regarding the situation.

In an interview with Sky Sport, Gattuso was candid when asked about Chiesa’s potential return for the upcoming play-offs. He stated, “You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem. You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa for every call-up; I always communicate with him. The issue lies not with me or my staff; he has a personal issue, not us. You are aware of this, yet you continue to ask.”

Earlier this month, Gattuso elaborated on the matter, saying, “I frequently discuss this with him. We must respect the decisions and issues that each of us faces. We understand what we communicate, and I must honor what the player conveys to me. I cannot say anything further.” He confirmed that the choice to withdraw was entirely Chiesa’s, adding, “Yes, this marks the fourth or fifth time I have explained this.”

Gattuso’s statements underline a deeper strategic dilemma for Italy as they gear up for a pivotal March. Chiesa, known for being one of the nation’s premier attacking talents, has garnered attention for his performances at Liverpool, including a Player of the Month award in September, demonstrating his ability to influence matches even without regular starts. His continued absence from the national team deprives the Azzurri of a vital tactical asset during a period when they are struggling with creativity and consistency.

Italy finished second in their qualifying group behind Norway and suffered a 4-1 defeat to the same team in their final group match, reflecting the ongoing instability within the squad. As Chiesa remains unavailable, Gattuso will need to rely on less experienced or less dynamic wide players as Italy embarks on a demanding play-off journey—a path that has historically posed challenges for the Azzurri.

The focus now shifts to Italy’s semi-final match against Northern Ireland on March 26, a physically resilient opponent that Gattuso is determined not to underestimate. He remarked, “It’s a physical team; they never give up. We must approach this match with seriousness. I have been emphasizing this for three months. We understood we had to navigate the playoffs; we recognized the need for improvement in our path. We look ahead with confidence.”

If Italy succeeds in advancing, they will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina away from home just five days later in a high-stakes final. Chiesa’s absence will likely have a significant impact as the Azzurri pursue a demanding and compressed route to the World Cup. All eyes are now on March and whether Italy can secure their place without one of their most talented attacking stars.