Italy Faces Moldova in Crucial World Cup Qualifying Match

REGGIO EMILIA, Italy — The Italian national soccer team is set to play Moldova on June 9, 2025, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. This will also be the last game for head coach Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed after Italy’s 3-0 defeat to Norway.

In the wake of the loss, Spalletti has made five changes to the lineup. The starting players include Gianluigi Donnarumma, Diego Coppola, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Sandro Tonali, and Emiliano Retegui. Players entering from the bench include Raoul Ranieri, Andrea Cambiaso, Davide Frattesi, Samuele Ricci, and Federico Dimarco.

This match is significant for Italy, which needs a victory to revive its chances of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026. The game will kick off at 20:45 local time at the Mapei Stadium.

Italy’s defeat against Norway was a painful start to their qualification journey, prompting urgency for a rebound against Moldova, a match Spalletti emphasized as vital for the team’s spirits. “This is a vital game for us, and we need to respond positively on the field,” he stated in a pre-match press conference.

Fans are hoping for a strong performance from the Azzurri, particularly after the high stakes surrounding this match marks a chapter closing on Spalletti’s term as head coach.