Italy vs. Israel official line-ups: 2026 World Cup qualifier

Giacomo Raspadori takes a different role with Mateo Retegui, while Manuel Locatelli and Gianluca Mancini step into the Italy team against Israel in this World Cup qualifier.

It kicks off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Azzurri squeezed past this team 5-4 last month in an unexpectedly exciting encounter, and this is their opportunity to lock down the play-off spot behind Norway.

Due to security concerns, there are expected to be only 10,000 people inside the stadium, while protests are organised for outside the arena, although fewer than if the ceasefire in Gaza hadn’t come into effect.

Gennaro Gattuso has won all his games so far, but is forced into some changes, as Alessandro Bastoni is suspended following the 3-1 victory over Estonia, while Moise Kean sprained his ankle.

This allows for a change of system to 3-5-2 with Roma defender Mancini stepping in, while Raspadori switches from a wide attacking role to joint striker with Retegui.

Francesco Pio Esposito is on the bench and ready to come on after scoring his first senior Italy goal.

It means Locatelli of Juventus is added to the starting XI to bolster the midfield, preferred to Bryan Cristante.

Israel have won all their games in this group other than against Norway and Italy, so this is a head-to-head for that play-off spot.

They only capitulated to the Nazionale 5-4 last month, but were left shaken by a 5-0 defeat to Norway at the weekend, which included two own goals and Daniel Peretz saving Erling Haaland’s penalty.

Despite that save, Peretz does not start in goal, as Omri Glazer gets the nod.

Idan Nachmias went off injured early in that match and is replaced by Matan Baltaxa in defence.

Italy vs. Israel official line-ups

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Retegui, Raspadori

Italy bench: Meret, Vicario, Gabbia, Spinazzola, Udogie, Orsolini, Piccoli, Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Cambiaghi, Coppola

Israel: Glazer; Dasa, Baltaxa, Blorian, Revivo; E Peretz, Gloukh, Khalaili; Biton, Baribo, Solomon

Israel bench: Daniel Peretz, Tzur, Gandelman, Shua, Azoulay, Noy, Mizrahi, Abu Fani, Gropper, Turgeman, Stoinov, Toriel

Ref: Turpin (FRA)