Injured Chiesa dropped by Italy before World Cup qualifying playoffs

Federico Chiesa has been dropped by Italy after being found not fit to play in the Azzurri's 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off with Northern Ireland, the country's football federation (FIGC) said on Monday.

Liverpool forward Chiesa "was not considered available for the coming two matches", said the FIGC, referring to Thursday's semi-final with Northern Ireland and a potential final against Wales or Bosnia-Hercegovina next week.

Italy face Northern Ireland in Bergamo desperately trying to get through the play-offs and not miss out on a third consecutive World Cup finals.

The FIGC did not specify the 28-year-old's injury, the latest in a long list which has hampered the career of one of Italy's brightest talents.

Chiesa, a back-up player at Liverpool, was a star of Italy's Euro 2020 triumph but he has npt played for his country since the dismal defence of their European title in 2024.

Bologna's Nicolo Cambiaghi has been called up to replace Chiesa, while Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca are both trying to shake off knocks ahead of Thursday's match.