The Serie A stars looking for World Cup redemption

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup, but many Serie A stars will feature in this summer’s tournament, and some of them will be looking for redemption after a disappointing season at a club level.

The World Cup can feel like jackpots slots sometimes: one lucky bounce, one perfect strike, and everything changes in an instant on football’s biggest stage.

Players who have failed to impress during the season might end up playing a vital role for their countries, scoring crucial goals or making crucial saves that football fans will remember for years.

Sixty-six Serie A players will feature at the 2026 World Cup, and Genoa centre-back Leo Ostigard recently became the first player from Italy’s top flight to score in the tournament.

Ostigard had a positive season with Genoa as the Rossoblu secured survival under the guidance of Azzurri legend Daniele De Rossi, but some of his Serie A colleagues are looking for a fresh start in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Among them is Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku, who has only played 64 minutes for Napoli in 2026-27.

The Belgium international suffered a severe injury during the pre-season and then had a fallout with the club in March, when he refused to return from Belgium, where he remained during the international break to train individually.

Napoli first fined him, but then approved him to continue preparations after the World Cup break.

Lukaku played a key role in Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Egypt in their 2026 World Cup opener earlier this week, contributing to Egypt’s own goal just 30 minutes after being subbed on.

“Even if it went down as an own goal, Romelu’s presence was vital. We know how dangerous he can be for our opponent’s defence,” said his teammate Kevin De Bruyne.

“If we look at the other matches at this World Cup, though, nothing can be taken for granted, and no game is easy.”

Rudi Garcia, a former Napoli coach, added: “Lukaku could even have ended up with a brace with that header, but I am delighted for him, and the whole squad feels the same way. Lukaku is hugely important to us.”

Other Serie A stars looking for redemption at the World Cup include Milan wingers Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic.

The latter hasn’t yet scored a goal at a club level in 2026, while Leao already confirmed that he feels his time at the club is over and that he’ll be looking for a new challenge at the end of the World Cup.