Federico Chiesa has been recalled to Italy's national squad for the first time in nearly two years, a critical move as the Azzurri battle to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso named the 28-man squad on Friday, setting up a crucial playoff double-header. The four-time champions face Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, followed by a match against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina just five days later. Failure to win both matches would mean Italy misses a third consecutive World Cup, a first since 1958.

The 28-year-old forward, who helped Italy win the 2021 European Championship, last played for the national team in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals loss to Switzerland. Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024, has struggled for regular Premier League playing time this season, starting just one league game. His return underscores his enduring value to the national team despite his club form.

Marco Palestra makes his Italy debut, while Giorgio Scalvini and Niccolò Pisilli return after almost two-year absences. The squad includes goalkeepers Elia Caprile, Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Alex Meret; defenders like Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, and Federico Gatti; midfielders including Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali; and forwards such as Francesco Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, and Matteo Politano.