Gianluigi Buffon says Italy are "waiting" for Federico Chiesa to return to the international set-up, but highlighted that the main focus is on the group as a whole.

Chiesa has not featured for Italy since June 2024, when the Azzurri were knocked out of the European Championships by Switzerland in the round of 16.

The 28-year-old has struggled for game time since his move to Liverpool at the start of last season, and in 2025-26, he has made just two starts in his 12 appearances.

Having played just 344 minutes across all competitions, Chiesa has so far refused call-ups under Gennaro Gattuso, with his absence from the November camp explained as him having a "problem" to deal with.

Chiesa has made 51 international appearances since his debut in 2018, scoring seven goals, and Buffon, Italy's delegation chief, believes he can add a lot to the squad.

"We have to bring back all the best players. If someone stands out, there's no preclusion of any kind, also because we need them," Buffon, who made 176 appearances for the Azzurri, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We're waiting for Chiesa; there are very few like him in Europe, but Rino [Gattuso] hasn't left anyone at home who deserves to be here. The group matters."

Italy will face Northern Ireland in their World Cup play-off semi-final, with the winner of that tie facing either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in FIFA's premier competition.

Italy have failed to reach either of the last two World Cups, falling at the play-off hurdle on both occasions, but Buffon is confident it will not happen a third time.

"As Rino says, we are strong. Period," Buffon added.

"The World Cup is a magic that must be shared with the country, we can't not go. Let's help the dream.

"Rino is the right coach, he's the best person we could have chosen.

"We'll think about what happens later [if they do not reach the World Cup]. The focus now is only on the match."