Canada coach Marsch hopes to face Italy in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup later this year.
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The Azzurri have not yet qualified for the competition, but if they do, they will face Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in the group stage.
Marsch hopes to face Italy in the World Cup
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Italy players during the national anthem during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 5, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“I have a house in Tuscany and a weakness for football,” Marsch said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“My favorite player was Demetrio Albertini. I hope to meet you again in the United States and I really hope to also see Gnonto, who I coached at Leeds.”
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Gnonto has only provided three assists in 13 appearances in all competitions for Leeds this season. He has scored one goal in 13 games for the Italian national team.
Gnonto’s debut in Italy with Mancini
epa10710974 Italian Wilfried Gnonto celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Under-21 Championship group stage match between Switzerland and Italy in Cluj (Romania) on June 25, 2023. EFE/ALEX NICODIM
The 22-year-old winger made his senior debut for the Azzurri in 2022 under Roberto Mancini, but has not played for the Azzurri since September 2023.
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final on March 26 and, if they qualify for the final, they will face the winner of the Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
In the same interview, Marsch also spoke about Canadian striker David, who recently scored his second goal in Serie A for Juventus.