Italy travel to Moldova for their next World Cup 2026 qualifying fixture on Thursday, needing a victory to keep their direct qualification hopes alive.The Azzurri are guaranteed a playoff spot but remain mathematically capable of finishing first in Group I if they can produce dominant displays over Moldova and Norway.Moldova vs Italy – Match preview and team newsDate: Thursday, 13th November.Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.Venue: Stadionul Zimbru, Chisinau.Moldova team newsAll-time leading goal scorer Ion Nicolaescu returns to the squad after injury, providing Moldova with their most potent attacking threat. The 27-year-old, who recently signed for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv, averages one goal every three international games and was named Moldovan Footballer of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. Nicolaescu has scored one goal in five appearances during this qualifying campaign.Midfielder Nichita Motpan remains the main absentee through injury. However, Italy-based playmaker Artur Ionita returns to the squad after missing the last fixture against Estonia, where Moldova drew 1-1 in their most recent outing. Young attacker Virgiliu Postolachi will also be available for selection, providing depth to Moldova’s limited attacking options.Midfielder Mihail Caimacov, the 27-year-old midfield anchor, will play a crucial role in controlling possession and supporting the attack. His performance will be vital in restricting Italy’s creative output in midfield. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Italy team newsItaly head coach Gennaro Gattuso has named a 27-man squad for the Moldova and Norway fixtures, though he has confirmed he will rotate his starting XI to provide opportunities for players with limited playing time. “Against Moldova, we’ll try out players who haven’t had much playing time, but we have to think about ourselves and not about what Norway will do,” Gattuso stated at his pre-match press conference.Nicolò Barella will miss the Moldova encounter due to suspension, serving a one-game ban following his booking against Israel in October. Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who has scored six goals in his last four international appearances, is ruled out through injury sustained while playing for his Serie A club.Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as Kean’s replacement. Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has once again withdrawn from the squad, declining selection due to ongoing fitness concerns.Giacomo Raspadori picked up a minor knock in Italy’s first training session and will require assessment before the match. However, Gianluca Scamacca returns to the squad after missing September’s fixtures due to a muscular issue, providing Gattuso with a fully-fit attacking option.There are positive returns for Alessandro Buongiorno and Samuele Ricci, who rejoin the squad after absences since March and June respectively. Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile, who has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2025-26 Serie A season, earns his first senior call-up after impressing as a first-choice stopper for the Rossoblu.Andrea Cambiaso, Davide Frattesi, and Sandro Tonali are each one yellow card away from suspension, meaning they must avoid bookings against Moldova to remain available for Sunday’s crucial match against Norway. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});FormMoldovaMoldova’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been fraught with difficulty. After drawing 1-1 with Estonia in their most recent fixture, where Stefan Bodisteanu scored the equaliser, the hosts have now recorded just one point from six group games.Despite their struggles in qualifying, Moldova showed some resilience in their last outing, halting a seven-match losing streak with the draw against Estonia, suggesting they may offer more resistance than their current league position indicates.ItalySince taking charge in early September following Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal, Gattuso has transformed Italy’s fortunes dramatically. The Azzurri have recorded five consecutive victories in qualifying, scoring 18 goals while they kept three clean sheets during this period. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Predicted lineupsMoldova: Avram; Forov, Craciun, Baboglo, Platica, Reabciuk; Caimacov, Rata, Bogaciuc; Postolachi; Nicolaescu.Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Cristante, Locatelli, Tonali; Orsolini, Retegui, Zaccagni.How to watch Moldova vs Italy?The fixture will be broadcast on Prime Video UK for viewers in the United Kingdom.Read Also – Five forgotten England internationals who need January movesSee More – The best cheap wonderkids to sign in Football Manager 2026Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTubeThe post Moldova vs Italy – Match preview and team news first appeared on The Football Faithful.