Italy Calls Up Three New Players Including Piccoli for World Cup Qualifiers

Italy's national football team is preparing for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Estonia and Israel, with significant squad changes due to injuries and strategic call-ups. Fiorentina striker Roberto Piccoli received his first senior call-up replacing the injured Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni, who will miss the matches due to an adductor injury. Alongside Piccoli, Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi and Fiorentina midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia were also given their first call-ups, signaling fresh talent infusion amid pressure on coach Gennaro Gattuso's team, which currently trails Norway in Group G. Other returning players include Bryan Cristante and Matteo Gabbia, while notable absences are Bellanova, Gatti, Leoni, Fabbian, Rovella, Daniel Maldini, and Scamacca. Italy aims to secure direct qualification by topping their group, as only group winners advance directly to the World Cup, with second-place finishers entering playoffs where Italy previously stumbled. The U21 team continues its Euro 2027 qualifying campaign with upcoming matches against Armenia, featuring new call-ups and returning players, reflecting ongoing development at multiple levels of Italian football.