Among the selected is midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, who was previously doubtful due to a muscle strain. Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa returns to the squad, while Marco Palestra of Cagliari has received his first call-up.

Not included in the squad are players Zaccagni, Orsolini, Bernardeschi, Vicario, and Zaniolo.

Italy will host Northern Ireland for the first leg in Bergamo. Should they win, the team captained by Gianluigi Donnarumma will face Wales or Bosnia in an away final match on March 31, with qualification for the World Cup at stake.

Italy, four-time World Cup champions, did not qualify for the last two editions in 2018 and 2022, finishing 22nd and exiting at the group stage in their most recent appearance.

The FIFA World Cup tournament is scheduled from 11 June to 19 July and will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The Italy squad consists of:

• Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli)
• Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli)
• Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolo Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
• Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)