Ahanor Withdraws From Italy Squad for France Clash

 

Honest Ahanor has withdrawn from the Italy senior national team squad ahead of Friday’s Nations League clash against France and will instead join the Under-21 side for their crucial European Championship qualifier against Poland on Monday.

Ahanor was initially included in Italy’s 32-man squad for the September-October international window but was among the players left out of the 23-man matchday squad for the trip to France. The defender was also an unused substitute in Italy’s 2-0 defeat by Belgium and was not included in the squad for Monday’s 4-1 victory over Turkey.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on Friday that Ahanor would not travel with the senior team to France and had been released to join Silvio Baldini’s Italy U21 squad. The decision will allow him to play a potentially decisive role in the Azzurrini’s final European Championship qualifier.

Italy U21 secured a 1-0 victory over Armenia on Thursday to remain second in Group E with eight wins from nine matches. However, they trail leaders Poland, who have maintained a 100 per cent record in the qualifying campaign.

The two sides will meet on Monday in what could determine Italy’s automatic qualification for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship. A victory would guarantee Italy a place in the tournament, while a draw or defeat would leave the Azzurrini dependent on results involving other runners-up.

The qualifying competition features nine groups, with each group winner earning automatic qualification. The best second-placed sides will also qualify directly, while the remaining eight runners-up will enter a play-off for the final four places.

With 16 nations due to participate in next year’s tournament, including co-hosts Albania and Serbia, Italy are already guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs. However, victory over Poland would secure their qualification without the need for further calculations.