Italy release Final 23-man World Cup squad

Giuseppe Rossi has missed out on a place in Italy’s final 23-man World Cup squad, announced this evening.

Cesare Prandelli has instead opted to include Lorenzo Insigne in his place.

A total of 30 hopefuls have been vying for places in Prandelli’s selection over the past couple of weeks, though Riccardo Montolivo’s injury last night during the team’s friendly with Republic of Ireland meant that number was reduced to 29.

A further six players have now also learned they have fallen at the final hurdle in their efforts to secure a role in Rio.

Attention will now turn to the Azzurri’s final home friendly, against Luxembourg on Wednesday, before they fly out to Brazil on Thursday evening.

Italy’s Final 23-man World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers : Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain);

Defenders : Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Paletta (Parma);

Midfielders : Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St. Germain);

Forwards : Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli).