Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is gearing up for Italy's crunch World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday night
14:36, 24 Mar 2026
Riccardo Calafiori
View 2 Images
Riccardo Calafiori has been speaking ahead of Italy's World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland
Riccardo Calafiori has declared he is "fine" despite arriving at Italy's national team camp with a fitness issue following Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Calafiori came off the bench to replace Piero Hincapie in the second half at Wembley Stadium and later struck the post as the Gunners looked to force their way back into the contest.
Speaking on Monday, Azzurri boss Gennaro Gattuso revealed there was small doubt over Calafiori, who reported a minor problem to Italy's medical staff.
Gattuso said: "Calafiori has a slight niggle but we expect to have him with us. Our medical staff are very prepared and we’ll make decisions in the right way."
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
In more positive news, Calafiori addressed the media on Tuesday and issued a key update on his injury status, explaining: "I'm fine, we'll see what happens today. I'm trying to enjoy the moment, we'll take it day by day and then the first match."
Italy were blown away in World Cup qualifying by Norway, who won all eight of their matches to book their ticket to North America as Group I winners.
It means Gattuso's troops will now have to qualify via the play-offs, first they'll face Northern Ireland on Thursday in Bergamo and if they're victorious, they'll then navigate a straight shootout against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A raft of Arsenal players, five in total, withdrew from their respective national team squads following Sunday's setback against City.
Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber both missed the match and unsurprisingly are not available to play for England and Holland during the break.
Riccardo Calafiori
View 2 Images
Riccardo Calafiori picked up a "niggle" in Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat to Man City
Leandro Trossard will be staying with Arsenal to maintain his fitness following a recent hip issue and did not travel with the Belgium squad to the United States for friendlies versus USA and Mexico.
William Saliba withdrew from the France squad for friendlies against Brazil and Colombia due to an ankle problem while Brazil confirmed yesterday that Gabriel Magalhaes would not be involved against France or Croatia due to knee pain.
The CBF said in a statement: "Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia. After the game this Sunday (22) against Manchester City, for the final of the English League Cup, the athlete complained of pain in his right knee.
"Imaging tests have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes is not fit to play in the matches during this FIFA international break - no other player will be called up to replace him."
Article continues below
England's 2026 World Cup kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Various Prices
England Official Store
Buy Now on England Official Store
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer's FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL