Italy and Israel go head-to-head in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.
Both sides will be searching for vital points in Group I, with Italy sitting second on 12 points and Israel third with 9 points, though the Italians have a game in hand. Norway currently lead the group with 18 points from six matches.
Italy vs Israel – World Cup qualifier preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 14th October
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
- Venue: Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
- Referee: Clement Turpin
- VAR: Bastien Dechepy
- Last meeting: Israel 4-5 Italy, World Cup qualifier, 8th September 2025
Italy team news
Italy will be forced into changes for Tuesday’s qualifier, as Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is suspended after picking up a yellow card in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Estonia in Tallinn. Roma’s Gianluca Mancini is the most likely replacement to partner Riccardo Calafiori in central defence.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side will also be without striker Moise Kean, who was forced off with an ankle injury after scoring the opening goal at the weekend. The Fiorentina star had netted six goals in four games for his country before the injury setback.
Italy have already been depleted by the withdrawal of wingers Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni from the original 27-man squad due to injury. Napoli’s Politano pulled out through injury, while Lazio’s Zaccagni was replaced by Fiorentina’s Roberto Piccoli.
Notably absent again is Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa, with Gattuso explaining that the player “does not feel at 100% and wants to be at 100%” after conversations between the pair. The former Juventus attacker has not featured for Italy since Euro 2024.
Milan defender Matteo Gabbia and Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante return to the national team after long absences, with both having been recalled for the first time in over a year. Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi and Fiorentina’s Hans Nicolussi Caviglia have received their first senior call-ups.
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Israel team news
Israel will be desperate to bounce back from their heavy 5-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo on Saturday, which has severely dented their World Cup qualification hopes. Head coach Ran Ben Shimon’s side now trails Italy by three points, having played one more game, making victory in Udine absolutely essential.
The visitors will be without midfielder Dor Peretz, who scored twice in September’s thrilling 5-4 defeat to Italy in Debrecen, Hungary. Israel is expected to make changes following their Oslo capitulation, with striker Tai Baribo potentially leading the line instead of Dan Biton, who made little impact against Norway.
Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, currently on loan at Villarreal, and Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh are expected to feature prominently for Israel. Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo and New England Revolution forward Dor Turgeman provide attacking options for Ben Shimon.
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Form
Italy: LWWWW
Gattuso’s side have won their last four World Cup qualifiers, including Saturday’s 3-1 victory in Estonia courtesy of goals from Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito. The Azzurri started their campaign poorly with a 3-0 defeat in Norway but have since defeated Moldova, Estonia, and edged out Israel in a nine-goal thriller in September.
Under Gattuso, Italy have scored 13 goals in three games, though defensive issues were highlighted in the chaotic victory over Israel where they conceded four goals. The former AC Milan midfielder has emphasised the need to return to Italy’s traditional defensive strengths.
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Israel: WWWLL
Ben Shimon’s team have endured a difficult period, losing their last two qualifiers 5-4 to Italy and 5-0 to Norway. Before these setbacks, Israel had won three consecutive matches, including victories over Moldova and Estonia.
Israel’s recent form shows they have struggled against the group’s stronger teams, conceding 14 goals in their three matches against Italy and Norway. They have, however, shown they can compete, having scored 4 goals to go level with Italy 4-4, but with minutes remaining, they conceded a stoppage-time winner.
Predicted lineups
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cambiaso, Barella, Tonali, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Retegui
Israel: Da. Peretz; Dasa, Baltaxa, Nachmias, Revivo; Abu Fani, E. Peretz; Khalaily, Gloukh, Solomon; Baribo
How to watch Italy vs Israel?
UK fans can watch the game on Amazon Prime Video as a pay-per-view service.
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