Italy are closing in on a spot within the 2026 World Cup as qualification nears its finish and a number of U-21 stars are hoping to earn a spot in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad – however who’re the most certainly candidates?
Which U-21 Italian Gamers May Make World Cup 2026 Squad?
Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan)
Francesco Pio Esposito has cemented himself as a first-team common for Inter Milan this season, after spending the final two-years out on mortgage to Spezia.
The 20-year-old has featured in 5 Serie A matches for Inter to this point, scoring one targets and the teen has featured in every of the Nerazzurri’s Champions League fixtures.
Many supporters anticipated the Italian to be loaned out once more this season, particularly after Inter introduced in Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma through the summer season window.
Nevertheless, after registering a objective and help in Inter’s most up-to-date UCL conflict in opposition to Union Saint-Gilloise, Esposito is now a fan favourite on the San Siro.
His performances at membership degree have additionally caught the eye of Azzurri supervisor, Gennaro Gattuso, as Esposito picked up his first senior cap in a World Cup qualifier in opposition to Estonia in September 2025.
The Inter Milan striker has been called-up to Italy’s final two worldwide camps and scored his first objective for the senior aspect in a 3-1 win over Estonia on October eleventh.
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup play-offs is a should for the Italian nationwide workforce, because the European nation has not competed on the iconic match since 2014.
Esposito is the most certainly U-21 candidate to make the World Cup squad after incomes a daily spot within the aspect and may solely cement his place additional with extra performances in 2026.
🔥 PIO ESPOSITO SCORES HIS FIRST UCL GOAL
His dream season continues:
• Italy debut & objective ✅
• Serie A debut & objective ✅
• UCL debut & objective ✅What an increase 👏 pic.twitter.com/mfA2zgMnAX
— Italian Soccer TV (@IFTVofficial) October 21, 2025
Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina)
The Italian nationwide workforce is famend around the globe for having a resolute protection, producing among the biggest defenders within the sports activities’ historical past.
Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini are only a handful of defenders which have carried the Italian status and Pietro Comuzzo is the most recent star to work his means via the Azzurri youth set-up.
Comuzzo made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina in October 2023 at simply 18-years and seven months, after climbing the ladder at La Viola’s academy.
Since then, the 20-year-old has made 57 appearances for the Florence-based aspect and has gone on to earn caps for the Azzurri at U-17, U-18 and U-20 degree.
The Fiorentina defender earned his first call-up to the senior aspect in November 2024 by Luciano Spalletti, however didn’t handle get on the pitch through the UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Comuzzo was then referred to as as much as Italy’s squad in March of this 12 months, however missed out on the Azzurri’s newest worldwide breaks because of a recurring ankle damage.
Gennaro Gattuso seems to have discovered his centre-back partnership in Riccardo Calafiori and Alessandro Bastoni, nevertheless, Comuzzo could possibly be in rivalry after Giovanni Leoni’s current ACL damage.
Michael Kayode (Brentford)
Transferring on to the primary participant outdoors of Serie A now and we now have Brentford defender, Michael Kayode, who has turn out to be among the finest full-backs within the Premier League.
Kayode joined the Bees on mortgage through the January switch window and the 20-year-old’s performances have been sufficient to persuade Brentford to signal him for €17.5 million in July.
Total Kayode has made 22 appearances for the Premier League aspect, that includes in each beginning lineup within the 2025/26 season to this point and placing in a standout efficiency in opposition to Manchester United.
The Italian has been linked with a transfer again to Fiorentina, as La Viola seek for some reinforcements to turn around their poor league form and it may increase his probabilities of that includes within the 2026 World Cup.
Regardless of performing in among the finest leagues in world soccer, Kayode is but to earn a global cap for the Azzurri senior aspect and was part of Italy’s aspect on the U-21 European Championships in June 2025.
The complete-back place is one which has not been cemented beneath Gennaro Gattuso, particularly on the right-hand aspect and Kayode could possibly be a shock inclusion if his performances for Brentford proceed.
Making nice selections 🧠
Michael Kayode created a Bees file 6️⃣ probabilities from open play on Monday night time 🔓@Detertech_UK pic.twitter.com/5MTlROU1CI
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 22, 2025
Francesco Camarda (AC Milan / Lecce)
Lastly we now have the youngest participant on this record in Francesco Camarda, who made Serie A historical past in November 2023 after making his league debut at simply 15 years and 260 days.
The Italian teen is presently out on mortgage for the 2025/26 season, becoming a member of Lecce and enjoying his first season as a daily in Italy’s prime division.
Up to now, Camarda has scored one objective in seven Serie A appearances, however solely two of those have come as a starter and the 17-year-old is but to earn a cap for the Azzurri senior aspect.
Camarda has turn out to be a daily for Italy’s youth sides, enjoying for the U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21’s, scoring 29 targets in 45 appearances for the assorted youth groups.
Gattuso has commented on selling gamers from the U-21 aspect and the Italy supervisor has an extended relationship with AC Milan, that means Camarda could possibly be an choice if his efficiency ranges rise.
