Federico Chiesa’s situation has taken a concerning turn just before the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying playoffs. The 28-year-old winger, who was a star during Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, was initially recalled for the crucial semi-final against Northern Ireland.
However, on March 23, 2026, Chiesa was deemed unavailable after an assessment at the Federal Technical Centre. This decision followed his recent struggles with injuries, which have plagued his participation with the national team.
Chiesa’s last appearance for Italy was during Euro 2024, and he has not played for the national side since then. His repeated withdrawals have become a recurring storyline, raising questions about his fitness and availability.
Despite his absence from the national team, Chiesa has been performing well at Liverpool, contributing two goals and three assists this season. His club form has sparked hopes for a return to the national squad, but injuries have hindered his progress.
Following the announcement of his unavailability, Nicolo Cambiaghi was called up to replace Chiesa in the Italy squad, underscoring the urgency of the situation as Italy prepares for the playoffs.
“You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem. You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him. The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us,” said Gattuso, highlighting the ongoing challenges surrounding Chiesa’s fitness.
The current state of affairs leaves Italy in a precarious position as they head into the playoffs without one of their key players. Chiesa’s absence is a significant blow, and the team will need to adapt quickly to fill the void.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific injury that led to Chiesa’s withdrawal, and it remains uncertain what factors allowed him to accept the call-up initially. The national team’s reliance on Chiesa’s talent makes this situation even more critical as they aim for World Cup qualification.
