First, a test against Japan, then a two-legged mini-tournament against the United States on the 40th anniversary of their foundation. The Azzurre’s 2025, including their extraordinary EUROs campaign, will close with three prestigious games: Friday 24 October, Italy will return to Como for the first time in 28 years for a test against Japan, followed by another which is yet to be decided. The following month, we will fly to Florida, and on Friday 28 November in Orlando, and on Monday 1 December in Fort Lauderdale, we will face the greatest team in world football.

Three precious friendlies before qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup due to begin next February. They show the growth of Italian women’s football in terms of respect, appeal and visibility. “We are beginning the path towards Brazil 2027 and we are continuing our growth against high-level opposition,” said Andrea Soncin. “We really wanted to play in Italy in October so that many can come and experience the magic and passion that only the Italy shirt can produce. The invite from the USA is a great opportunity and a source of pride. It proves the development that our whole movement is having at the moment. In these matches, we want to raise the bar in terms of performance to jump up the rankings and to prepare as best as possible for the world cup qualifiers.”

Our game against Japan will be played at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, the same venue where the women’s Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Roma was played last May in front of 7,000 spectators. The numbers favour the Azzurre who are unbeaten apart from one loss in our last meeting back in 2015. On the other hand, the United States have the better record with 10 wins from 16, including the last four. Three of the four Italy wins came in the second half of the 1980s: the first was in August 1985 in Jesolo, and it was the match which marked the USA’s international debut. Since, they have progressed on to winning four World Cups and five gold medals.

BACK TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY. From the test with the 8th ranked team (Italy are 12th) to two fixtures against the second best team in the World, just behind Spain. The girls are preparing to go to the States for the seventh time in their history. The first time dates back to 1993, when the Azzurre were invited to a friendly tournament in Columbus, Ohio. Our last visit was in 2010, for the return leg of the play-offs for the World Cup in the following year. That edition was won by Japan, and in their history they have also won two Asia Cups and an Olympic silver medal in 2012.

This invite from the United States Soccer Federation confirms the great work done by FIGC, Andrea Soncin, clubs and Azzurre footballers, which is ever-appreciated overseas, as shown by Sofia Cantore and Lisa Boattin move to the National Women's Soccer League, becoming the first Italians to compete in the league. So, Italy will be headed to Florida for two prestigious friendlies to round off the year. The first of which will be on 28 November at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, and the replay will be on 1 December at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, home of Inter Miami and Leo Messi, which, in February 2024, hosted one of the Azzurri’s friendlies in their American tournament.