Giancarlo Antognoni, a member of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning team, will lead the Italian delegation for the upcoming June friendly matches. He has provided clarification regarding the composition of the Azzurri squad set to compete in these games, stating definitively: “It will not be the U21 team.”
Youthful Italian Squad for June Friendlies, but Not Exclusively U21
While Italy will not be participating in the 2026 World Cup in North America, the team has scheduled away friendlies against Luxembourg on June 3rd and Greece on June 7th. These matches will see a reshaped Italian setup, both on and off the field. U21 coach Silvio Baldini will take the helm, stepping in after Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation following the World Cup playoff final loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Antognoni will temporarily fill the role vacated by Gianluigi Buffon, who also departed the Italian national team setup after their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
It is anticipated that Italy will field a youthful squad for the June friendlies, including many players familiar to Baldini from his tenure with the U21 team. Initial suggestions that the squad might consist solely of U21 representatives had reportedly caused dissatisfaction within the Greek federation. However, Antognoni has since clarified that this is not the case, assuring that the team will be young yet competitive.
“I have read about some controversy in Greece concerning the absence of some experienced players. Honestly, I do not understand it,” Antognoni stated in an interview on the FIGC website. “It is not a sign of disrespect towards our opponents. It will not be the U21 team taking the field, but a young and strong Italian side. Many talented players will participate, some who are already regular members of the national team squad, and other players whom Silvio Baldini knows very well, having coached them with great success with the U21s over the past nine months.”
“I am convinced that many of them will become integral parts of the national team in the near future,” he added.
Antognoni expressed his hope that many of the players featuring in the June friendlies will form the core of the squad aiming for the 2030 World Cup. “But I am also convinced that many of these young men will be called up as early as September, when Italy begins its next journey in the Nations League,” he continued. “We are talking about players who have already played significant roles in Serie A, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, and in European competitions.”
Among the Italy U21 players with top-flight experience are Michael Kayode (Brentford), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC), and Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund).
Antognoni concluded his interview with a message of reassurance to the Italian supporters: “I can only say that they will be proud of these players. Our future starts now. And let me say a few words about Silvio Baldini. He is a great coach and a fine person. He has earned the opportunity to manage a senior national team, and I am convinced that he is the right man to guide these youngsters through an unforgettable experience.”
English Translation
Giancarlo Antognoni, a 1982 World Cup winner, will be Italy’s delegation chief for the scheduled friendlies at the beginning of June. He has clarified aspects of the youthful Azzurri squad set to take the field in the coming weeks, stating: “It won’t be the U21 side.”
A Young Italian Side for June Friendlies, but Not Just the U21 Squad
Italy will not be participating in the 2026 World Cup in North America but still have away friendlies scheduled against Luxembourg on June 3rd and Greece on June 7th. This will be a makeshift Italian setup, both on and off the pitch. U21 coach Silvio Baldini will be in charge following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation after the World Cup playoff final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will be joined by Antognoni, who has been brought in to temporarily replace Gianluigi Buffon, who also left the Italy setup after missing out on a World Cup spot.
It is expected that Italy will name a youthful side for the June friendlies, featuring several players Baldini knows well from his time coaching the U21 squad. There had been suggestions that Italy might field a team comprised entirely of U21 representatives, which reportedly angered the Greek federation. Antognoni has since clarified that this is not the case, though he has confirmed it will be a youthful, yet strong, Azzurri side nonetheless.
“I’ve read about some controversy in Greece in relation to the fact that some experienced players won’t be there. Honestly, I don’t understand it,” Antognoni said in an interview on the FIGC website. “It’s not a lack of respect for our opponents. It won’t be the U21 team that takes to the pitch, but a young and strong Italy side. Lots of talented players will play, some who are already permanent parts of the national team squad, and other guys that Silvio Baldini knows very well having coached them with great results with the U21s over the last nine months.”
“I’m convinced that a lot of them will be a part of the core of the national team in the near future.”
Antognoni stated that he hopes many of the players who will play in the June friendlies will be part of the side aiming to participate in the 2030 World Cup. “But I’m also convinced that a lot of these guys will be called up as early as September, when Italy starts its next journey in the Nations League,” he said. “We’re talking about players who have already had leading roles in Serie A, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and in European competitions.”
Among the Italy U21s with top-flight experience are Michael Kayode (Brentford), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC), and Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund).
Antognoni concluded his interview with a final pledge to the Italy supporters: “I can only say that they will be proud of these guys. Our future starts now. And, let me say a few words about Silvio Baldini. He’s a great coach and a proper person. He’s deserved the opportunity to sit in the dugout of a senior national team and I’m convinced that he’s the right man to lead these youngsters into an experience they will never forget.”
