Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has rejoined his Italy teammates at their training camp as they prepare for the vital World Cup play-off matches starting Thursday night. Despite undergoing surgery earlier this week, he is expected to remain with the squad for the entirety of the international break.
Vicario Rejoins Italy Squad Following Surgery
Vicario was not listed among the 28 players selected by Gennaro Gattuso for the World Cup play-offs, which kick off with a semi-final at home against Northern Ireland on Thursday evening. If Italy defeats the Green and White Army, they will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away on Tuesday night (March 31) for a chance to compete in the final tournament.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at City Ground on December 14, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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Tottenham later clarified that Vicario’s absence from the Italy squad was due to a hernia issue, and that the former Empoli keeper would undergo surgery during the international break to lessen the impact of his absence on club duties.
For the past few years, Vicario has been Italy’s second-choice goalkeeper and was not anticipated to start ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma for these crucial play-off matches.
Vicario had his surgery on Monday and shared a message on Instagram stating, “See you soon,” keeping his supporters updated.
In a remarkable show of support and camaraderie, Vicario returned to Italy less than three days after the operation to join his national team colleagues.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – JUNE 24: Mattia Zaccagni celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal to equalise during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)
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As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vicario took a private flight to Italy on Wednesday evening and plans to stay with the national squad throughout the international break, which will conclude after Tuesday night’s match, depending on the outcome against Northern Ireland. Italy will either proceed to a play-off final or play a friendly.
Afterward, Vicario will head back to London to continue his recovery. Tottenham anticipates having him back and available “within a month.”