The World Cup is just a few weeks away, and now with the club season entirely over, the entirety of the globe is fully focused on the upcoming international tournament. With pre-tournament friendlies set to begin within a week, Italy manager Giuseppe Bergomi, fresh off of his unbeaten sextuple win with Inter Milan, has announced his final 23 man roster for the Azzurri:

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Goalkeepers
1. Salvatore Sirigu (PSG), 12. Emiliano Viviano (Juventus), 23. Andrea Consigli (Udinese)

Defenders
2. Alessandro Crescenzi (Valencia), 3. Mattia Ronconi (AC Milan), 5. Andrea Ranocchia (Inter), 6. Guilherme Siqueira (Granada), 13. Davide Astori (Juventus), 14. Diego (Internacional), 19. Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), 21. Ignazio Abate (At. Madrid)

Midfielders
4. Lorenzo Crisetig (Inter), 8. Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), 10. Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), 15. Andrea Romano (Palermo), 16. Daniele De Rossi (C) (Leverkusen), 18. Andrea Poli (Inter), 20. Giacomo Bonaventura (Napoli), 22. Alessandro Florenzi (Udinese)

Forwards
7. Lorenzo Insigne (Inter), 9. Alberto Paloschi (Parma), 11. Mattia Destro (Inter), 17. Gianluca Caprari (Atalanta)

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Giuseppe Bergomi had to cut 7 unlucky players from his preliminary 30 man squad, and many people are very surprised by some of those selections. To begin with, Ajax goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, despite recovering just about in time to make the squad and resume his normal place as third-string goalkeeper, did not make the final squad. Instead, Udinese shot-stopper Andrea Consigli has made the final cut.

Moving forward from the between the sticks to the back line, no less than 3 defenders have been dropped from the initial team. Fullbacks Mattia De Sciglio and Davide Santon were the first to be chopped, neither playing more than 15 EPL games for Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Valencia's star fullback Alessandro Crescenzi has finally found a place in Bergomi's plans, though, and may feature regularly at right back.

The most surprising decision at the back, however, is that Pescara's superstar defender Marco Capuano has been left off of the final team. The 26 year old has put in brilliant season after brilliant season for the Serie A club but has never quite broken into the first team, making only 1 cap in his career. Instead, Brazilian-born Diego may make his first ever appearance for the national side as he has made the final team.

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Marco Capuano made his first and only cap for Italy back in September of 2016 against Slovakia despite turning in excellent performances for Pescara over the last seven years; he will now be forced to miss yet another major tournament.

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In midfield, only player was dropped; Liverpool playmaker Marco Verratti. The once-promising youngster saw his career severely stall over the years at Paris St.-Germain and later Arsenal, but enjoyed a stellar first season with Liverpool, managing 10 assists in the Premier League. Napoli midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, however, who already has 41 caps and 10 goals, did make the squad despite a rather poor showing in Serie A.

Daniele De Rossi also continues to be selected, despite being 34 years of age. The Italy captain has made 136 caps already, just 5 shy of Gianluigi Buffon's record of 141, and looks likely to pass the goalkeeper of years past very soon. In his first season with Bayer Leverkusen, De Rossi won the Bundesliga and will now look to add a World Cup crown to the mix.

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Captain fantastic Daniele De Rossi is only 5 caps away from the all-time record of 141 caps, currently held by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The defensive midfielder has hinted that this World Cup may be his last international appearance.

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Also looking to set a record will be both Sebastian Giovinco and Mattia Destro. The Juventus midfielder has 23 goals in 69 appearances for the Azzurri, only 4 goals behind Roberto Baggio's all-time record. Despite not playing much for the Bianconeri, Giovinco has remained one of Bergomi's most important players and will wear #10 during the World Cup. Mattia Destro is also racing to 27 goals, having already scored a stellar 22 goals in 28 caps.

In terms of strike options, there was the biggest exodus. Of the 7 attackers originally selected for the national team, 3 have been trimmed from the final team. Mario Balotelli had a very poor season with Bayern Munich and did not make the cut, while uncapped Samuele Longo and Porto frontman Fabio Borini will also miss out on Russia 2018.

Longo has scored 20 goals in 17 U21 caps but was just pipped to the final squad by Serie A top scorer Alberto Paloschi, who scored 22 Serie A goals this year. Borini, on the other hand, has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons and has lost much of his extremely deadly scoring touch. Inter pairing Mattia Destro and Lorenzo Insigne are expected to start up top instead, with Paloschi and Atalanta striker Gianluca Caprari being options from the bench.

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Mattia Destro will be the key in the Azzurri's attacking department; even though the striker has struggled immensely of late at the club level, he has scored 22 times already for the national team and will look to add to his stellar record.

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Some people are heavily questioning Destro's involvement in the tournament; the man who once scored 100 goals in all competitions in just 3 seasons made only 19 league appearances last year, playing much of the year second fiddle to Ademilson and even Insigne, shifting up top from the left wing. Nobody can doubt Destro's international form, though, and fans will be hoping he carries on in the vein he's always shown for the Azzurri.

All of Italy has been waiting four years for this moment; after winning the World Cup in 2006 the Azzurri have spiraled out of control, being knocked out of the Group Stage of South Africa 2010 and failing to even qualify for Brazil 2014. They are back in the fold now, however, and will hope to make a major mark.

NO BALOTELLI!?! THATS IT IM OUTTA HERE!

*insert footsteps sound effect*

*insert slamming door*

Griffo: Sorry mate, he's been in crap form since the beginning of the game, not nearly good enough to warrant a call-up; the four strikers I did call up are all definitely better

Neal, you're just OP now. Move one...Move on and grace another club with your special managing abilities. plz.

AaronHJFT96: I have some very special things planned for after this World Cup, you'll see

Lorenzo Insigne scored five goals during the pre-World Cup friendlies. Three of those goals were against the United States where the Inter Milan attacker's 89th minute goal gave Italy a dramatic late victory.

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It was a very successful stretch of pre-tournament friendlies for the Italian national team as the Azzurri stormed to three straight exciting victories, proving that they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the actual tournament to take place in Russia.

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ITALY 2-0 MEXICO
STARTING XI (4-1-2-1-2): Sirigu; Crescenzi, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Siqueira; De Rossi (C); Poli, Crisetig; Giovinco; Insigne, Destro
Lorenzo Insigne x2
Lorenzo Insigne

The first game against Mexico was certainly a sign of things to come. Bergomi opted to line up in his favored 4-1-2-1-2 with the diamond midfield that he regularly used with Inter Milan back in his first few seasons there. However, Italy struggled to create much in the first half; at halftime, Alberto Paloschi came on for Mattia Destro and made a world of difference.

In the 69th minute, Lorenzo Crisetig had sprayed the ball out wide to Paloschi to beat his man. The Parma striker than whipped in a delightful cross from the right wing to the feet of Lorenzo Insigne at the back post to tap in for an easy finish.

With time ticking down and three minutes remaining in the match, Insigne doubled his side's advantage. The diminutive striker excellently utilized a give-and-go at the top of the box with his strike-partner, Paloschi, and curled the ball calmly into the net to get his second goal of the game and secure the victory for the Azzurri. To make things better, Brazilian-born Diego and ex-Inter midfielder Andrea Romano both made their international debuts in this match.

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ITALY 4-2 DENMARK
STARTING XI (4-1-2-1-2): Sirigu; Ronconi, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Siqueira; De Rossi (C); Poli, Crisetig; Giovinco; Insigne, Paloschi
Leonardo Bonucci, Alberto Paloschi (x2), Giacomo Bonaventura
Alberto Paloschi

The second game was against Giuseppe Bergomi's ex-employers: Denmark. Still loved by many of the Danish people for taking Die Rod-Hvide to the semifinals of the European Championships in 2016 and 2nd in the world rankings, it was set to be a very interesting match.

Leonardo Bonucci got Italy off to a perfect start after heading home Alberto Paloschi's cross in the 28th minute. Paloschi then turned from provider to scorer. The Serie A Golden Boot winner scored his first with great aplomb, dribbling down the endline and just about slipping the ball into the near post. The second finish was a lot simpler, a close-range header from Guilherme Siqueira's inch-perfect cross. These were the striker's first international goals.

AC Milan teenager certainly didn't do himself any favors in the second half as his backpass was picked off by Nicklas Bendtner, who made the score 3-1 and perhaps gave the Danes a life line. Giacomo Bonaventura was on the spot to deny, however, scoring a bullet of a shot from nearly 30 yards to send the Olimpico back into celebrations. With just a minute to go in the match, Simon Kjaer nodded home from an Eriksen corner kick, but it was too little, too late.

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ITALY 3-2 USA
STARTING XI (4-1-2-1-2): Sirigu; Crescenzi, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Siqueira; De Rossi (C); Poli, Crisetig; Giovinco; Insigne, Paloschi
Lorenzo Insigne (x3)
Lorenzo Insigne

The final match against the United States was the most exciting of the lot. The first half didn't have much excitement but did have the opening goal as it was the dynamic duo at it again; Alberto Paloschi scissored apart the American defense with his backheel, putting Lorenzo Insigne through on goal for the simple finish past Quentin Westberg.

The United States was determined to show they were no pushovers in the second half and quickly found their equalizer through Mike Johnson's thunderous header from Gregory Garza's left wing cross. Insigne was quick to fire a reply back, though, and scored a beautiful goal just minutes later, cutting in from the left flank and rifling the ball into the bottom corner.

Jozy Altidore found an equalizer with five minutes to go from a set piece, and it seemed as though Italy would end their pre-World Cup tour with a draw. Insigne was having absolutely none of it, though, and scored a sensational 25 yard chip, catching the America goalkeeper off his line, winning Italy the match by a score of 3-2.

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"It's been an incredible preseason for us," said Bergomi after the match against the United States. "Three wins out of three is always very promising. We've also played very good football, and we've score nine goals. The players are absolutely raring to go for the World Cup."

Italy, in Group F with Nigeria, Uruguay, and Costa Rica, will have their first match of the tournament on June 19th against Costa Rica in the Makhachkala.

Some good wins there, especially against Mexico - defence may need to tighten up though.

LFC: Yes, our attack is thriving but our back line looked suspect at times. To be fair, I was starting Alessandro Crescenzi as Ignazio Abate was injured, but Abate will be fit in time for the World Cup which hopefully should help us shore up a bit

Glad to hear it Neal And well done for those three wins, great in attack, not so much defense.

AaronHJFT96: Thanks Aaron, and yes hopefully we can sort out the usually sturdy back line before the tournament begins

The World Cup is just a few days away now, so we are giving you the very best preview of each and every group in the tournament. Today's group boasts two previous winners of the tournament; Italy and Uruguay, accompanied by Central American minnows Costa Rica and African powerhouse Nigeria. FWe will take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each team and give you our prediction on how they'll fare this summer in Russia.

Confederation: CONCACAF
World Ranking: 59
Manager: Gilberto Martinez
Key Player: Joel Campbell (Atletico Madrid)
Predicted Finish: 4th

The Costa Ricans are expected to be the easiest team to beat in this group. The Central American nation doesn't have many star players to it's name; Joel Campbell is their only well known name. Though the pacy striker is only a backup player at Atletico Madrid, the 26 year old has scored 53 goals in 85 caps and is undoubtedly Costa Rica's very best player. Campbell led the team in qualifying with 8 goals and will need to turn in top notch performances if Costa Rica are to have any chance at all of qualifying from this group.

Confederation: CAF
World Ranking: 24
Manager: Ifeanyi Ekoku
Key Player: Brown Ideye (Bayer Leverkusen)
Predicted Finish: 3rd

It's not been the best of times recently for Nigerian football. Having failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, the Super Eagles proceeded to crash out of the following African Cup of Nations. However, now under Ifeanyi Ekoku, the Nigerians will hope to do their nation proud in this World Cup. Despite a shaky defense, the African nation will look to Brown Ideye. The striker has an impressive 24 goals in 34 caps for the national team and scored 11 goals last year for Leverkusen en route to their second straight Bundesliga title. If Ideye can find the net, Nigeria might just make the knockout stages.

Confederation: COMNEBOL
World Ranking: 18
Manager: Oscar Pacheco
Key Player: Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Uruguay are one of the select few that have previously won the World Cup, in both 1930 and 1950. Undoubtedly a talented side, Uruguay are favorites to pip second place and could even challenge to win the group if they play well enough. Boasting a number of players in the prime of their career, they key will still be veteran Luis Suarez. The 31 year old is still scoring plenty for the Reds in England and has 53 goals in 113 caps. Not only does the wily front man score, he creates, so if Pacheco's men can free up Suarez, their opportunities will be boundless.

Confederation: UEFA
World Ranking: 3
Manager: Giuseppe Bergomi
Key Player: Andrea Ranocchia (Inter)
Predicted Finish: 1st

Italy are unquestionably the favorites to win this group. Since winning the World Cup for the fourth time in 2006, it's been difficult for Italy, being knocked out of the Group Stage in 2010 and failing to qualify for 2014. It seems a new age has begun now, though; the Italians finished runner-up in Euro 2016 and are now looking a new side under Giuseppe Bergomi. Despite a plethora of attacking talent, Andrea Ranocchia will be the most important player for them; the three time Serie A Player of the Year is the marshal of the Azzurri's defense and will hope to keep many clean sheets throughout the tournament.

That's scary, nearly an identical group to this World Cup!!!

Great preview Neal, should be an interesting tournament!
You have a strong squad, so hopefully you can go far and who knows maybe even win the competition

Walter: Yes but sadly, the easiest opponent is gone!! If only England were here

pompeyblue: Thanks pompey, yes that is the goal

Great detail and great update