After the emotional EURO 2025 campaign, it’s now time for the road to the World Cup. A new chapter in the history of the Italian Women’s National Team with their qualifying campaign for the tenth edition of the World Cup, which will be held in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027.

The Azzurre will come together next Tuesday at Coverciano to prepare for the first two matches in Group 1 of League A: on Tuesday, March 3 (18:15), their debut against Sweden at the Stadio Oreste Granillo in Reggio Calabria, and on Saturday, March 7 (18:15), the match against Denmark at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza. Ticket sales will begin tomorrow at 12:00 pm through authorised Vivaticket outlets and on figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com, organised through FIGC.

A double-showdown that could prove decisive early on for the squad’s future by securing direct qualification for the World Cup and avoiding a double-legged playoff. In order to achieve this, the team must finish top of the group (which also includes Serbia). The Azzurre have previously achieved this feat on their path to last summer’s European Championship, when they beat the highly-rated Netherlands and Norway by a narrow margin.

For these 180 minutes that will kick off Italy’s 2026 campaign, head coach Andrea Soncin has called up 27 players. Returning to the squad after missing the end-of-year U.S. tour are Emma Severini and Barbara Bonansea. They are joined once again by Angelica Soffia, Benedetta Glionna, and Elisa Polli.

THE OPPONENTS

Sweden, fifth in the FIFA rankings, are coming off the back of a disappointing EURO 2025, where they failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals, as well as two defeats against Spain in the semifinals of the UEFA Women's Nations League.

This will be the fifth meeting between this Swedish side and Soncin’s team. With a record of two draws and two defeats, Italy will be aiming for maximum points to claim their fifth-ever win against the Scandinavians, who have won in 16 of their 28 games.

Italy’s record against Denmark is also not too spectacular. Ranked 14th, one place below Italy, they have been beaten only five times in 19 matches. However, last April the Azzurre secured their first away win against the Danish side, with an impressive 3–0 victory featuring goals from Caruso, Di Guglielmo, and Girelli.

Carrying our History

Reggio Calabria, where Italy will play for the first time, and Vicenza, which has already hosted two friendlies against Spain (in 2014 and 2024), are already in match mode.

In addition to enjoying the on-field action, in the days leading up to the two matches, fans and supporters will have the chance to take a look at the memorabilia that represents the history of Italy’s national teams. This memorabilia is normally displayed at Coverciano but is coming to Calabria and Vicenza for these games.

“Shades of Azzurro”, the travelling exhibition of the Museo del Calcio, will return to the Pinacoteca Civica di Reggio Calabria from Saturday, 21 February to Tuesday, 3 March. On the same days, three items will also be displayed at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria, home to the Bronzi di Riace and artefacts from Magna Graecia.

The same applies in Vicenza, where the exhibition will open at the Sala Zavatteri of the Basilica Palladiana from Thursday, 5 March to Sunday, 8 March.

Note for The Media

Media accreditation for the two matches is now open exclusively through the FIGC accreditation system at figc.getyourevent.online.For the Reggio Calabria match: applications will be open until 18:00 on Friday, 27 February. For the Vicenza match: applications will be open until 18:00 on Wednesday, 4 March.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (Milan)

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), Federica D’Auria (Lazio), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan)

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Matilde Pavan (Como), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Martina Piemonte (Lazio), Elisa Polli (Inter)

Schedule

Tuesday, 24 February
12:00 – Training Camp at Coverciano
15:30 – Training (closed)

Wednesday, 25 February
13:30 – Press Conference with the Head Coach
15:30 – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Thursday, 26 February
15:30 – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Friday, 27 February
10:30 – Training (closed)

Saturday, 28 February
10:30 – Training (closed)

Sunday, 1 March
10:30 – Training (closed)
17:35 – Flight to Reggio Calabria

Monday, 2 March
16:15 – Press Conference at Stadio Oreste Granillo
17:15 – Official MD-1 training (first 15 minutes open)

Tuesday, 3 March
18:15 – ITALY vs. Sweden
Return to Coverciano after the match

Wednesday, 4 March
10:30 - Training (first 15 minutes open)

Thursday, 5 March
10:30 – Training (first 15 minutes open)

Friday, 6 March
10:00 – Press Conference at Coverciano
10:30 – Official MD-1 training (first 15 minutes open)
16:20 – Leave for Vicenza
Approx. 18:45 – Walk-around at Stadio Romeo Menti

Saturday, 7 March
18:15 – ITALY vs. Denmark
End of training camp after the match

 

League A Groups

Group 1: Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Serbia
Group 2: France, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Ireland
Group 3: Spain, England, Iceland, Ukraine
Group 4: Germany, Norway, Austria, Slovenia

 

2027 World Cup Qualifying Calendar

  • Matchdays 1–2: February 26 – March 7, 2026

  • Matchdays 3–4: April 9–18, 2026

  • Matchdays 5–6: June 3–9, 2026

  • Play-off draw (Rounds 1–2): June 24, 2026

  • Play-off Round 1 (home & away): October 7–13, 2026

  • Play-off Round 2 (home & away): November 26 – December 5, 2026

  • Intercontinental play-offs: February 2027