As the deadline approaches for Gennaro Gattuso to name his Italy squad for the critical World Cup play-offs in late March, attention turns to promising young talents. This article highlights five rising stars who could earn a spot in the Azzurri lineup, potentially starting with the match against Northern Ireland on March 26.
Italy is set to play Northern Ireland in a single-leg World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on March 26. The victorious team will then advance to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in an away match on March 31, with a coveted place in the final World Cup tournament at stake.
A failure to win both upcoming matches would mean Italy misses out on the World Cup for an unprecedented third consecutive cycle. The Azzurri have not participated in the group stages since 2014, and their last World Cup knockout victory dates back to their triumphant campaign in 2006.
Here are five young talents who could potentially feature for the Italian national team by the end of March.
Potential Young Additions for Italy’s World Cup Play-offs
Marco Palestra
Marco Palestra, the 21-year-old right-back from Cagliari (on loan from Atalanta), presents himself not merely as a future prospect but a valuable asset for the immediate squad. He is experiencing a remarkable breakout season in Serie A, having been a consistent presence for Cagliari, featuring in all 27 league games since his arrival. Notably, he was substituted only twice before full-time in his last 18 league appearances. Palestra’s regular role as a right wing-back addresses a position where Italy lacks depth, and his versatility allows him to operate in a back four, should Gattuso opt for the 4-4-2 formation previously employed in November.
Michael Kayode
Another 21-year-old, Michael Kayode, currently excelling individually and collectively with Brentford in the Premier League, could alleviate Italy’s right-back concerns. Despite being widely predicted for relegation at the season’s outset, Kayode has been instrumental in Brentford’s impressive run, seeing them occupy seventh place and contend for a historic European qualification. His distinctive long throw-ins have proven problematic for numerous Premier League opponents throughout the 2025-26 season, potentially offering Gattuso a direct tactical weapon, especially when paired with a strong aerial presence like Pio Esposito.
Davide Bartesaghi
While Italy has faced some challenges on the right flank, the left side has seen reliable options in Federico Dimarco and Destiny Udogie over recent seasons. Now, AC Milan’s Davide Bartesaghi emerges as another compelling choice for Gattuso. Dimarco, a contender for this season’s Serie A MVP, is anticipated to start as left-back or left wing-back for Italy’s World Cup play-off campaign. However, with Udogie still rehabilitating a hamstring injury, Bartesaghi’s inclusion in the squad appears increasingly probable and merited. He has firmly established himself as Milan’s primary left wing-back, even after the arrival of the experienced Pervis Estupinan, who was initially expected to be the undisputed starter for the Rossoneri. Furthermore, if Dimarco were unexpectedly unavailable, Bartesaghi has demonstrated his capability as a more than competent alternative throughout the 2025-26 season.
Niccolo Pisilli
Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma is widely anticipated to receive a call-up for the Italy squad ahead of the World Cup play-offs in late March. While veteran Marco Verratti, 33, was reportedly considered for a return after a three-year hiatus, his ongoing recovery from a knee injury means he is not expected to feature this month. This situation significantly boosts the likelihood of Pisilli being included in the midfield. Although the 21-year-old is improbable to displace established starters like Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella, and Manuel Locatelli, his growing importance under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma is a strong testament to his readiness.
Pio Esposito
Inter’s highly-rated forward, Pio Esposito, is also expected to be named in Gattuso’s squad, building on his previous call-ups to the Italy team during the first half of the 2025-26 season. The 20-year-old has already notched three goals for the senior national side in just five appearances. Despite the likely inclusion of Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui, a strong case can be made for Esposito to start, especially if Gattuso opts for a two-striker formation. Recently, Esposito has taken on a more significant role at Inter due to Lautaro Martinez’s injury, even leading the attack in the recent Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan. Since the start of the calendar year, he has contributed three goals and two assists in Serie A.
