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Federico Chiesa of Liverpool is seen during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool FC at PSV Stadion on January 29, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The FIGC explains that Federico Chiesa ‘has been deemed unavailable for the next two matches’ following an assessment of his physical condition, so the 28-year-old has already returned to Liverpool.
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Chiesa left Italy’s training centre Coverciano on Monday to return to Liverpool and won’t be available for the World Cup play-off this week.
Official: Why Chiesa pulled out of Italy squad for 2026 World Cup play-off
The Italian FA explained Gennaro Gattuso’s decision with an official statement on Monday morning: “Federico Chiesa, after his physical condition was assessed upon arrival at the federal technical centre, has been deemed unavailable for the next two matches and, in agreement with his club, has left the national team training camp.”
The FIGC confirmed that Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi was included in the Azzurri squad to replace Chiesa.
The Liverpool winger had not featured for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros and had previously rejected the chance to play for the Azzurri under Gattuso.
A Euro 2020 winner, Chiesa has scored seven goals in 51 appearances with the Italy national team.
He has made 32 appearances across all competitions with Liverpool this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists, but has only played 673 minutes with the Reds in 2025-26.
Cambiaghi, 25, has only played once for the Azzurri but has four goals and six assists in 37 Bologna games this term.
The 25-year-old has played over 2,000 minutes with the Rossoblu in 2025-26.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
