With less than a week remaining, Gennaro Gattuso is set to unveil his Italy national team squad ahead of the vital World Cup play-offs at the end of March. In this article, we examine five promising young players who could potentially feature in the Azzurri lineup for the match against Northern Ireland on March 26.
Italy will face Northern Ireland in a one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on March 26, with the winner progressing to an away fixture against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a shot at World Cup qualification on March 31.
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If Italy fails to secure victories in both matches, it will mark their third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup. The Azzurri have not advanced past the group stages since 2014 and have not won a knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2006.
BERGAMO – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso observes before the national anthems at the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Here are five young talents who may find themselves in the Italy squad come the end of March.
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Potential Italy Players for World Cup Play-offs
Marco Palestra
The 21-year-old right-back from Cagliari, currently on loan from Atalanta, is not only a player for the future but also a crucial asset for the present.
Palestra is experiencing an impressive breakthrough season in Serie A, having participated in all 27 league matches for Cagliari since his arrival, and he has been substituted only twice in his last 18 appearances.
He consistently performs at right wing-back, a position where Italy has limited depth, and he can also adapt to a back four if Gattuso opts for the 4-4-2 formation he used previously.
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Michael Kayode
Another potential addition to the right-back position is 21-year-old Michael Kayode, who has been excelling both individually and collectively in the Premier League with Brentford.
Initially predicted to struggle this season, Kayode has become a key player for Brentford, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League, vying for a historic European qualification.
His exceptional long throw has been a source of trouble for various teams throughout the 2025-26 season, providing a direct option for Gattuso, especially if he pairs it with a strong header like Pio Esposito.
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Davide Bartesaghi
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match against Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
While there have been limited options on the right flank, Federico Dimarco and Destiny Udogie have offered solid choices on the left, and now Davide Bartesaghi from AC Milan presents an enticing option for Gattuso.
Dimarco, thought to be a candidate for the Serie A MVP award this season, is likely to start as left back or left wing-back for Italy in the upcoming World Cup play-off campaign. However, with Udogie recovering from a hamstring injury, Bartesaghi’s chances of making the squad are looking increasingly promising.
Bartesaghi has established himself as Milan’s preferred left wing-back despite the club’s signing of experienced Pervis Estupinan, who was initially expected to be a regular starter.
Should Dimarco become unavailable for any reason, Bartesaghi has certainly proven himself as a capable backup in the current season.
Niccolo Pisilli
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match against US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico on February 22, 2026. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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AS Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli is a likely inclusion for the Italy squad leading up to the World Cup play-offs at the end of March. There were discussions about 33-year-old Marco Verratti making a return to the national team after a three-year hiatus, but his knee injury means he is not expected to participate this month.
This opens the door for Pisilli to step into the midfield alongside players like Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella, and Manuel Locatelli. While he may not start, his rising influence at Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini is noteworthy.
Pio Esposito
In a recent Serie A match, Inter rallied from two goals down to secure a dramatic comeback, with contributions from Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez, and Pio Esposito.
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Esposito, known as Inter’s ‘starboy’, is also expected to make Gattuso’s squad after receiving several call-ups during the first half of the 2025-26 season. The 20-year-old has scored three goals for the national team in his first five appearances, and although Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui are also likely to be called up, many believe Esposito deserves a starting position, particularly if Gattuso opts for a two-striker setup.
In recent weeks, Esposito has taken on a greater role at Inter following an injury to Lautaro Martinez, leading the attack in significant matches, including the recent Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan. Since the start of the year, he boasts three goals and two assists in Serie A play.