The Azzurre’s World Cup ambitions will be shaped by the crucial double-clash against Serbia and Denmark. The away fixtures in Leskovac and Copenhagen, scheduled for 14 April (18:15 CEST) and 18 April 15:00 CEST, will determine whether the Azzurre can get back into the race for top spot in the group, the only position that guarantees direct qualification for the final tournament, avoiding the risk of a two-legged playoff involving the other three teams.

 

It will be a challenging goal, but not an impossible one: the defeat to Sweden and the draw with Denmark are now behind them. It’s time to return to winning ways. The squad’s last victory was back in the EURO 2025 quarter-final against Norway, and now the team are looking to find their spark again as they prepare for their second training camp of 2026. A total of 27 players will come together at Coverciano next Tuesday to begin preparations for the two matches. Aurora Galli returns to the squad eight months after the pre-EURO training camp, alongside Margot Shore, Caterina Ambrosi, and Agnese Bonfantini. Ternana defender Marika Massimino will also be part of the squad, earning her first call-up to the senior national team.

 

THE OPPOSITION
Serbia, ranked 33rd in the FIFA rankings, come into this fixture on the back of an excellent Nations League campaign, where they were leaders in their group ahead of higher-ranked Finland, securing direct promotion to League A. Since then, they have recorded friendly wins over Slovenia and Czechia, followed by a defeat in Denmark and a valuable draw with Sweden in their second World Cup qualifier. These are results that highlight the quality of the team coached by Lidija Stojkanović. Previous encounters with Italy date back more than 20 years (when Serbia and Montenegro were one federation) and were beaten by the Azzurre, who scored 23 goals and conceded just one in four matches.

The record against Denmark is a different story. Ranked 13th in the world, one place above Italy, they have beaten the Azzurre five times in 20 meetings (with nine defeats for Italy). However, Soncin’s side secured their first away win against Denmark last year with a decisive 3-0 victory, a result that shows promise for the 90 minutes in Copenhagen, where Italy have not played since 2002.

SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Marsiglia);
Defenders: Caterina Ambrosi (Parma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Marika Massimino (Ternana), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Monaco), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);
Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

THE AZZURRE’S SCHEDULE

Tuesday, 7 April
20:00 CEST – Squad gathers at Coverciano

Wednesday, 8 April
10:45 CEST – Training (open to the media)
14:00 CEST – Head coach press conference

Thursday, 9 April
10:45 CEST – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Friday, 10 April
15:30 CEST – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Saturday, 11 April
10:45 CEST – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Sunday, 12 April
10:45 CEST – Training (closed)

Monday, 13 April
10:00 CEST – Head coach + player press conference
10:45 CEST – Official MD-1 training at Coverciano (first 15 minutes open to media)
15:45 CEST – Departure from Coverciano, followed by flight to Niš

Tuesday, 14 April
18:15 CEST – Serbia vs. ITALY
After the match – Return to Coverciano

Wednesday, 15 April
10:45 CEST – Training (first 15 minutes open to media)

Thursday, 16 April
15:30 CEST – Training (closed)

Friday, 17 April
10:00 CEST – Head coach + player press conference
10:45 CEST – Official MD-1 training at Coverciano (first 15 minutes open to media)
16:30 CEST – Departure from Coverciano, followed by flight to Copenhagen
19:15 CEST – Walk around Parken Stadium

Saturday, 18 April
15:00 CEST – Denmark vs ITALY
After the match – Return to Italy and delegation dismissed