Italy

Striker Mario Balotelli has been recalled by Italy coach Roberto Mancini more than three years after he last played for the Azzurri for a training camp ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifying play-offs, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Monday.

Italy on Saturday said it had detected its first case of the new Omicron strain of COVID-19 in a traveler from Mozambique.

The last two European champions, Italy and Portugal, could face each other for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn in the same path for the playoffs in Zurich on Friday.

Italy midfielder Jorginho blazed a late penalty over the bar as his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in their Group C World Cup qualifier at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday, leaving both sides with a chance of automatic qualification for Qatar.

Spain brought Italy’s record 37-match unbeaten run to an end on Wednesday with a 2-1 win to reach the Nations League final.

Italy continued its winning streak in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers as it beat Lithuania 2-0 on Wednesday, claiming the third consecutive win without conceding a goal.

Major EU countries including, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain halted the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday after several reports of blood clots in Europe, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) insisted that it is safe to use.