Italy heading to Under-20 World Cup without many top star names

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 12:20 PM ET

Italy are set to participate in the Under-20 World Cup without many of their best players, as clubs including Milan, Inter and even Lecce are refusing to release their talents.

The tournament will be staged in Chile from September 27 to October 19, with the Azzurrini, France, Ukraine, Spain and Norway qualifying from the UEFA section.

However, unlike senior competitions, clubs do have the right to not release their players for the Under-20 World Cup.

Italy cannot force clubs to release players

La Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato.com point out quite a few Serie A sides are choosing to resist pressure, keeping hold of their players.

Milan are not letting Davide Bartesaghi and goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani go, despite getting very little playing time at club level anyway.

Although he is still owned by the Rossoneri, Francesco Camarda is now on loan at Lecce and should also be held back from participating for the Nazionale.

Inter will not release striker Francesco Pio Esposito for the tournament, although he was in the side that lost the 2023 Under-20 World Cup Final to Uruguay.

Coach Bernardo Corradi will lead Italy into the group against Argentina, Australia and Cuba.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: