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

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Sergiu Plătică of Moldova competes for the ball with Giacomo Raspadori of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Italy make numerous changes for the trip to Moldova, including Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori and Guglielmo Vicario in the starting XI.

It kicks off at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau at 19.45 GMT.

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

The Azzurri locked down a play-off spot, but the odds of beating Norway to first place and automatic 2026 World Cup qualification are extremely slim, due to the vast goal difference advantage.

Some changes are forced, as Nicolò Barella is suspended, with Moise Kean and Niccolò Cambiaghi withdrawing from the squad due to injury.

Atalanta striker Scamacca therefore gets a rare start with Raspadori and Gennaro Gattuso switches to what looks like a 4-4-2 formation.

Sandro Tonali takes the midfield reins, as he will be rested against Norway on Sunday to avoid him picking up a yellow card and missing the play-off semi-final.

All bookings will be wiped out at the end of the group phase, unless they have already activated a ban.

Riccardo Orsolini and Mattia Zaccagni provide an attacking approach down the wings.

Italy beat Moldova 2-0 back in June, which was the final game in charge for coach Luciano Spalletti, with goals from Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso.

Moldova are bottom of Group I with one point from six games, having drawn 1-1 away to Estonia in the most recent fixture.

They were swept aside 11-1 in Norway, which is one of the reasons for the big goal difference gap.

In the current squad is former Verona midfielder Artur Ionita (now at Triestina) and current Torino player Sergiu Perciun.

Moldova vs. Italy line-ups

Moldova: Cojuhar; Stefan, Craciun, Dumbravanu; Revenco, Perciun, Rata, Ionita, Reabciuk; Nicolaescu, Postolachi

Moldova bench: Timbur, Avram, Cucos, Bitca, Bodisteanu, Damascan, Caimacov, Fratea, Bors, Forov, Bogaciuc, Platica

Italy: Vicario; Bellanova, Mancini, Buongiorno, Cambiaso; Orsolini, Tonali, Cristante, Zaccagni; Scamacca, Raspadori

Italy bench: Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Dimarco, Locatelli, Ricci, Politano, Retegui, Gabbia, Frattesi, Pio Esposito, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo

Ref: Balakin (UKR)