Calafiori’s hip issue persists and the defender has now returned to Arsenal for tests as Italy prepare to meet group leaders Norway at the San Siro in their final World Cup qualifier.
Italy’s preparations for their decisive World Cup qualifier at San Siro have been dominated by the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who was the national team’s only genuine doubt going into the meeting with Norway.
He is now returning to Arsenal after being ruled out of the game.
“He tried to be available but he can’t force now,” said Italy coach Gattuso.
It is reportedly not a ‘big’ problem.
The defender has been managed carefully throughout the week at Milanello, kept away from full sessions as Italy’s staff tried to avoid any further damage, but the hip problem that first surfaced before the Moldova game has still not cleared.
Calafiori has now gone six consecutive days without training fully.
The timing is frustrating for Italy and for Arsenal, given Calafiori’s long list of setbacks during his first year in England.
He missed 24 of Arsenal’s 58 matchday squads in 2024/25, more than 40 per cent of the season. Since arriving in north London he has suffered four knee problems, a muscle injury and a calf issue, ruling him out of 31 matches for club and country in the last two seasons.
This campaign had been a welcome improvement. Calafiori has featured in all 17 of Arsenal’s matchday squads so far, starting 12 times and already moving close to the 16 club starts he managed across the whole of last season.
Italy beat Moldova without him, but it will almost certainly not be enough. Norway’s 4-1 win over Estonia, with Karl Hein the only Arsenal player on the pitch across the fixtures involving Italy, Norway and Estonia, effectively sealed the group.
With a goal difference advantage of +17, Norway would need to lose by nine goals for Italy to leapfrog them on Sunday.
Norway won the reverse fixture 3-0.
Unless something extraordinary happens, Martin Ødegaard will captain Norway at the World Cup next summer.
Calafiori and Italy, meanwhile, are heading for a play-off in March.