Don't Want to Repeat World Cup Playoff Trauma, Gattuso Calls Up Verratti and Chiesa

Italy National Team Coach Gennaro Gattuso is reported to have called up two experienced players to the provisional Italy squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup Playoff. The two figures are Marco Verratti and Federico Chiesa.

Italy faces a do-or-die duel against the Northern Ireland National Team on March 26, 2026, at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. 

This match will determine whether Gli Azzurri finally return to the 2026 World Cup stage after bitter failures in the last two editions.

The shadows of the past still haunt Italy. In the 2018 World Cup Playoff, the squad coached by Gian Piero Ventura was eliminated by the Sweden National Team. 

Four years later, tragedy struck again. This time, Roberto Mancini's team was shockingly stopped by the North Macedonia National Team in the 2022 World Cup playoff.

The Dark Shadow of the Playoffs

That dark record makes the duel against Northern Ireland feel far more important for Italy. Gli Azzurri clearly do not want to make bad history by failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Therefore, Gattuso needs a squad that is not only high-quality but also has experience handling immense pressure.

According to a report from Tuttosport, Gattuso is believed to be calling veteran Marco Verratti (33) into Italy's provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup playoff.

If true, this call-up would be Verratti's first in nearly three years. 

The midfielder, who now plays for Al Duhail, last wore the Italy national team jersey in the UEFA Nations League third-place playoff match against the Netherlands National Team in June 2023.

Previously, Verratti was known as one of Azzurri's key pillars while playing for Paris Saint‑Germain and Pescara at club level.

Gattuso Needs Certainty

Besides Verratti, another important figure reportedly on Gattuso's radar is Federico Chiesa. 

The player, who now plays for Liverpool, was even personally met by Gattuso during a dinner in London recently.

Like Verratti, Chiesa was part of Italy's Golden Generation that won Euro 2020 under Roberto Mancini.

However, since Euro 2024, Chiesa has not returned to wearing the Azzurri jersey. According to the Tuttosport report, the final decision regarding the winger's call-up will be made about 10 days before the official squad assembles.

Gattuso seems unwilling to take risks with a major match awaiting his team. He wants the Italy squad filled with players who can truly provide guaranteed quality and experience.

"Because when the ship is in danger of sinking, clearly, Gattuso prefers not to rely on the enthusiasm of young players or signals from Serie A, but rather on an old certainty," wrote journalist Marco Conterio from Tuttomercatoweb.

Under immense pressure, Gattuso's decision to recall experienced players could be key for Italy to erase the trauma of failure in the previous two World Cup editions.