Destination USA. Italy’s incredible run in 2025 will come to an end with a tour of the United States, as Andrea Soncin’s team prepares to fly to Florida for two friendlies against the host nation, scheduled for 29 November in Orlando and 2 December in Fort Lauderdale (kick-off for both matches at 1:00 am CET). The build-up to the World Cup qualifiers, starting in March 2026, will begin with these two eagerly awaited fixtures, marking the Azzurre’s return to the United States after 15 years.

 

 

 

The United States Soccer Federation’s invitation comes on the 40th anniversary of its founding, remembering the historical game in which the Stars and Stripes played their first international match against Italy on 18 August 1985 in Jesolo. These fixtures are a testament to the excellent work of the FIGC, Coach Soncin, the clubs, and the Azzurre players, who are increasingly revered across the Atlantic. This is demonstrated by Sofia Cantore (expected Saturday for the Serie A playoff final) and Lisa Boattin joining the National Women’s Soccer League, becoming the first Italian players in the U.S. top division.

 

 

Twenty-eight players have been called up for matches against the world’s most celebrated team (winners of four World Cups and five Olympic golds), currently ranked second in the FIFA rankings behind Spain. The most notable new player is Matilde Pavan, returning to the senior national team after standout performances with Como and the Under-23 squad. She will be joined by Agnese Bonfantini, absent from the pre-Euro training camp, as well as Lucia Di Guglielmo, Julie Piga, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, and Eleonora Goldoni, all of whom missed the last two friendlies against Japan and Brazil.

 

The Azzurre will reconvene on Sunday evening in Rome and fly to the United States the next day. Their first stop will be Orlando, where they will train for three days ahead of the match at Inter & Co Stadium, a 25,500-seat stadium inaugurated in 2017. The day after the game, the Azzurre delegation will travel to Fort Lauderdale, a coastal city just a few kilometers from Miami. There, Italy will hold their final training session at Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami, Leo Messi’s club, which in February 2024 hosted one of the two friendlies of the men’s national team’s U.S. tour, as well as a match involving Jannik Sinner and the Azzurri.

Previous Fixtures. This marks the Azzurre’s seventh time traveling to the U.S. in their history. The first visit was in 1993, when the Azzurre were invited to a friendly tournament in Columbus, Ohio, and the latest was in 2010 for the return leg of the World Cup qualifying playoffs the following year, which was also the last game between the two teams. In total, there have been 16 matches: following three consecutive victories between 1985 and 1988, Italy has recorded ten defeats, one draw, and a single victory, achieved in a friendly in 2001 in Rieti (1-0, goal by Silvia Tagliacarne).

 

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (Milan);
Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Huston Dash), Federica D’Auria (Lazio), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Monaco), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Eleonora Goldoni (Lazio), Giada Greggi (Roma), Nadine Nischler (Como), Matilde Pavan (Como), Eva Schatzer (Juventus);
Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Alice Corelli (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

 

THE SCHEDULE

Sunday, 23 November
Team reconvene in Rome

Monday, 24 November
12:45 LT – Flight departure from Fiumicino
22:55 LT – Arrival in Orlando

Tuesday, 25 November
16:30 LT – Training at Osceola Heritage Park, Orlando

Wednesday, 26 November
11:00 LT – Training at Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando

Thursday, 27 November
17:30 LT – Training at Osceola Heritage Park, Orlando

Friday, 28 November
19:00 LT (1:00 a.m. CET) – USA vs. ITALY

Saturday, 29 November
10:30 LT – Training at Osceola Heritage Park, Orlando
16:30 LT – Transfer to Fort Lauderdale

Sunday, 30 November
18:00 LT – Training at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale

Monday, 1 December
19:00 LT (1:00 a.m. CET) – USA vs. ITALY

Tuesday, 2 December
19:40 LT – Flight departure from Miami
Followed by team dismissal