Little more than three months on from their two friendly wins over the Netherlands and Austria, Italy Women are ready to get back out onto the pitch as they kick off their 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Azzurre will meet at Coverciano on Sunday ahead of their first two Group G matches; on Friday 17 September Italy host Moldova in Trieste, before heading to Karlovac to take on Croatia on the 21st.

Over the last few days of this unforgettable summer for Italian sport, the Azzurre are preparing for a new chapter in their history. The first obstacle in their way is the Moldovans (ranked 92nd in the world), who they beat both home and away in qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. Four days later, Milena Bertolini’s side take on Croatia (ranking 56th in the world), who they last faced 25 years ago. The aim for the Azzurre is to achieve direct qualification for the next World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand. In order to ensure that this happens, Italy will need to top their group, which includes Switzerland, Romania and Lithuania.

Bertolini has called up 27 players for these first two fixtures of the season. The new phases in regards to the most recent squad are Rachele Baldi and Gloria Marinelli. Young defender Angelica Soffia (2000), who scored a brace against Austria is now a firm fixture in the first team, will also join the squad, as will Valeria Pirone, who – before the call-up in June – hadn’t featured since 2011.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Roma), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);

Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Sassuolo), Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Gloria Marinelli (Inter), Valeria Pirone (Roma), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

Schedule - All times CEST

Sunday 12 September
The team meets at Coverciano

Monday 13 September
15:00 - Press conference with Italy's head coach
16:30 - Training

Tuesday 14 September
10:00 - Training
16:30 - Training

Wednesday 15 September
10:00 - Training
Travel to Trieste in the afternoon

Thursday 16 September
15:00 - Press conference with Italy's head coach and captain
16:00 - Training at the Stadio Nereo Rocco (open to the press for the first 15')

Friday 17 September
17:30 - ITALY VS. MOLDOVA

Saturday 18 September
10:00 - Training
16:30 - Training

Sunday 19 September
10:00 - Training
Travel from Trieste to Karlovac in the afternoon

Monday 20 September
17:30 - Training at the Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek in Karlovac

Wednesday 21 September
17:30 - CROATIA VS. ITALY
Return to Italy after the game