180 minutes to determine their fate. The women’s national team is preparing to return to action for the final crucial fixtures of the 2027 World Cup qualifying group: on Friday, 5 June (18:15 CEST) in Pisa, they will host Serbia, while on Tuesday June 9 (19:00 CEST) in Gothenburg, they will face Sweden. The Group 1 standings, led by Denmark, one point ahead of Sweden and three ahead of Italy, are clear: to finish top, the only place that grants direct qualification to Brazil without going through the play-offs, the Azzurre must win both games and hope Denmark drop points. The Danish side are set for a Scandinavian derby at home and an away trip to Serbia.

Everything is still to play for, and that’s why instead of being concerned with the calculations, Andrea Soncin’s team must focus solely on their own path, which begins on Sunday, 31 May in Tirrenia. The Olympic Training Centre will host the 29 players until 7 June, the day of departure for Sweden. Elisa Bartoli returns to the squad after a long absence, alongside Francesca Durante, Lisa Boattin, Federica D’Auria, and Barbara Bonansea, all back after missing the April camp. The squad also includes Napoli midfielder Melissa Bellucci and Lazio forwards Margherita Monnecchi and Noemi Visentin, the latter receiving her first senior national team call-up.

The opponents

The Azzurre will kick off at the “Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani” stadium in Pisa, where they have never played before, against a side who are ranked 34th in the FIFA rankings. Italy previously beat Serbia 6–0 on 14 April in Leskovac, making it six wins out of six encounters, with 29 goals scored and just one conceded.

Four days later, the Azzurre will play for the first time in Gothenburg at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium against Sweden for the 30th time. Sweden remain the only Scandinavian side Italy have not beaten under Soncin. Overall, the record favours Sweden, with 17 wins and four defeats; the last Italian victory was back in a 2018 friendly in Cremona.

Squad list

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

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Inter), 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: Melissa Bellucci (Napoli Women), Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Margherita Monnecchi (Lazio), Martina Piemonte (Lazio), Noemi Visentin (Lazio)

Schedule

Sunday 31 May: Arrival in Tirrenia (by 15:00 CEST), training 18:00
1 June: Training 17:30 CEST (press conference TBC)
2 June: Training 17:30 CEST
3 June: Training 17:30 CEST
4 June: Press conference + MD-1 training in Pisa (Arena Garibaldi)
5 June: Italy vs. Serbia (18:15, CEST)
6-7 June: Training sessions, departure for Gothenburg (7 June)
June 8: Press conference (video call), MD-1 training in Gothenburg
June 9: Sweden vs. Italy (19:00 CEST), return to Italy after the match

Group 1 standings (League A)

Standings:
Denmark 8, Sweden 7, Italy 5, Serbia 1

Upcoming matches:

  • June 5: Denmark vs. Sweden, Italy vs. Serbia

  • June 9: Serbia vs. Denmark, Sweden vs. Italy