Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has forced the Azzurri into an unwanted period of introspection. With no competitive fixtures on the horizon until the next Nations League cycle, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has opted to use the upcoming international window for experimentation. Friendly matches against Luxembourg on June 3 and Greece on June 7 will serve as the stage for a radically revamped squad, one that features a host of uncapped players eager to prove their worth.
The man tasked with overseeing this transitional moment is Silvio Baldini, a coach whose appointment came as something of a surprise. Baldini, known for his work with youth development, has embraced the opportunity by naming a squad light on established internationals and heavy on potential. With Italy’s senior stars either injured or omitted to make way for fresh blood, the focus shifts squarely onto the next generation. Among the most intriguing inclusions are three 21-year-olds who have never before donned the senior national team jersey: Michael Kayode, Cher Ndour, and Luca Koleosho.
Michael Kayode, a right-back currently plying his trade at Premier League side Brentford, has taken a circuitous route to this moment. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents who sought refuge in a Genoa monastery, Kayode spent seven years in Juventus’ academy before dropping down to the amateur ranks with Gozzano. There, at just 16, he became the first player born in 2004 to score in Serie D. A move to Fiorentina followed, where his marauding runs and defensive tenacity drew comparisons to Gareth Bale — a moniker that stuck, earning him the nickname “little Bale.” A self-confessed fan of Paolo Maldini, Kayode’s rapid ascent continued with a transfer to Brentford in 2025, where he was nominated for the Premier League’s best young player award this season.
Midfielder Cher Ndour offers a different profile but no less intrigue. The son of a Senegalese father and Italian mother, Ndour’s journey began at Brescia’s academy before a switch to Atalanta’s renowned youth setup. In 2020, he made the bold decision to join Benfica in Portugal, a move that quickly paid dividends. At 16 years and 279 days, Ndour shattered João Félix’s record to become the youngest player ever to feature for Benfica’s B team. His blend of physicality, technique, and vision in central midfield prompted comparisons to a young Paul Pogba. A brief stint at Paris Saint-Germain yielded only four senior appearances, but after loan spells at Braga and Besiktas, Ndour found stability at Fiorentina in January 2025. This season, he has registered 7 goals and numerous assists across Serie A and the Conference League, showcasing his readiness for the international stage.
Luca Koleosho’s path to the Azzurri is perhaps the most global. Born in Connecticut, USA, he represents the quintessential modern footballer, eligible to play for four nations. Through his father’s Nigerian passport, his maternal grandparents’ Italian roots that led them to emigrate to Montreal, and his own birthright of American and Canadian eligibility, Koleosho could have chosen any of those paths. He turned out for the United States at Under-15 level and was called up by Canada’s senior team at 17 without making an appearance. However, Italy’s “Club Italia” initiative — a program designed to identify foreign-based talents with Italian heritage — made the decisive move, bringing him into the Azzurrini fold under Baldini in 2023. Now on loan at Ligue 2’s Paris FC from Burnley, the winger has impressed with his direct running and flair, netting three goals in 16 league outings.
These selections underscore the depth of the crisis — and the opportunity — confronting Italian football. Missing out on a second consecutive World Cup (they also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022) has prompted existential questions about the development pipeline. For decades, Italy relied on late-blooming stars who emerged after years of Serie A seasoning. Now, with the national team exiled from the sport’s biggest event, the federation is accelerating the integration of dual-nationals and talents produced outside the traditional boot-shaped peninsula. Kayode, Ndour, and Koleosho embody this new paradigm: they are products of a globalized game, each carrying multiple cultural identities that enrich the squad’s fabric.
The friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece, while lacking the competitive edge of a World Cup qualifier or tournament match, carry significant psychological weight. For Baldini, likely a short-term appointment, this is a chance to lay the groundwork for a successor. For the players, it’s a rare opportunity to train at Coverciano, wear the iconic blue shirt, and stake an early claim for the 2028 European Championship cycle. Even a single cap can shift a young career, attracting attention from bigger clubs and instilling confidence. Given Kayode’s defensive versatility, Ndour’s box-to-box dynamism, and Koleosho’s attacking unpredictability, all three could feature prominently across the two matches.
Kayode’s nomination for the Premier League’s young player award speaks to his rapid adaptation in England. He has become a regular starter for Brentford, offering an attacking outlet on the right flank while demonstrating improved defensive discipline. His story — from monastery refuge to Premier League regular — is one of resilience. Ndour, meanwhile, is finally fulfilling the potential that saw him touted as Pogba’s heir. His decision to leave PSG in search of regular football has paid off, and his goal output from midfield this season hints at a player capable of becoming a long-term pillar. Koleosho’s loan spell in France, though in the second tier, has provided vital senior minutes, and his trickery on the left wing could give Baldini’s side a much-needed X-factor in one-on-one situations.
However, it would be naive to view this window as a panacea. Italy’s problems run deeper than a few fresh faces. The domestic league continues to struggle with infrastructure, ownership instability, and a reluctance to trust homegrown youngsters. The national team’s identity, forged in defensive catenaccio and counter-attacking brilliance, has eroded without a clear tactical philosophy. Baldini’s temporary tenure cannot solve these systemic issues, but the infusion of youth might just provide a spark. If Kayode can replicate his club form, Ndour can dominate in midfield, and Koleosho can unlock a packed defense, the narrative around Italian football could begin to shift from despair to cautious optimism.
For the FIGC, these matches are also a trial run for a revised scouting approach. “Club Italia” has already proven its worth by identifying Koleosho, and similar initiatives aimed at the diaspora in South America and elsewhere could unearth more gems. The days of Italian football looking inward are over; globalization demands a broader net. The nations of Luxembourg and Greece, while modest opponents, offer the ideal testing ground — low pressure yet meaningful enough to gauge a player’s temperament and technical level. The Azzurri faithful, hungry for any positive sign, will be watching closely.
In the end, the June friendlies represent more than just two exhibition matches. They are a symbolic reset button, a declaration that Italy refuses to wallow in self-pity after another World Cup heartbreak. Silvio Baldini may be a footnote in the annals of Italian football history, but the players he has called up could write the next chapter. Michael Kayode, Cher Ndour, and Luca Koleosho are no longer unknowns; they are the faces of a necessary reinvention. Whether they can turn a moment of trial into a lasting legacy will depend on what transpires on the pitches of Luxembourg and Greece.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.