Calafiori’s hip issue persists as Italy weigh late decision before meeting group leaders Norway at San Siro in their final World Cup qualifier.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on October 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Italy’s preparations for their decisive World Cup qualifier at San Siro have been dominated by the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who remains the national team’s only genuine doubt going into the meeting with Norway.
The defender has been managed carefully throughout the week at Milanello, kept away from full sessions as Italy’s staff try to avoid any further damage, but a hip problem that first surfaced before the Moldova game has still not cleared.
Calafiori has now gone five consecutive days without training fully, and although he will be assessed again today, the signs are not said to be encouraging.
Italy have prepared contingency plans, with Gianluca Mancini, who scored in Chisinau, and Alessandro Buongiorno both on standby should Gennaro Gattuso be forced into a change.
His absence against Moldova looks increasingly likely to be repeated against Norway.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Daniel Munoz of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The timing is frustrating for Italy and for Arsenal, given Calafiori’s long list of setbacks during his first year in England.
He missed 24 of Arsenal’s 58 matchday squads in 2024/25, more than 40 per cent of the season. Since arriving in north London he has suffered four knee problems, a muscle injury and a calf issue, ruling him out of 31 matches for club and country in the last two seasons.
This campaign had been a welcome improvement. Calafiori has featured in all 17 of Arsenal’s matchday squads so far, starting 12 times and already moving close to the 16 club starts he managed across the whole of last season.
OSLO, NORWAY - NOVEMBER 13: Karl Hein of Estonia saves a shot from Erling Haaland of Norway during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Norway and Estonia at Ullevaal Stadion on November 13, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images
Italy beat Moldova without him, but it will almost certainly not be enough. Norway’s 4-1 win over Estonia, with Karl Hein the only Arsenal player on the pitch across the three fixtures involving Italy, Norway and Estonia, effectively sealed the group.
With a goal difference advantage of +17, Martin Ødegaard and Norway would need to lose by nine goals for Italy to leapfrog them on Sunday.
Norway won the reverse fixture 3-0.
Unless something extraordinary happens, Ødegaard will captain Norway at the World Cup next summer.
Calafiori and Italy, meanwhile, are heading for a play-off in March.
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