Florence, June 4: Defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Andrea Ranocchia were among six players left out of Italy's final 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup late Monday.
Also cut were goalkeeper Michael Agazzi, midfielders Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli and forward Marco Sau.
Pablo Osvaldo, another forward, was kicked off the squad last week for insulting his club coach at Roma. Fullback Luca Antonelli left the squad earlier Monday after bruising his left ankle during a friendly with San Marino last week.
Italy visits the Czech Republic for a key World Cup qualifier Friday then departs for Brazil on Sunday.
At the June 15-30 tournament, Italy faces Mexico, Japan and host Brazil in the group stage.
The forwards that coach Cesare Prandelli kept are Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy, Alberto Gilardino, Sebastian Giovinco, Alessandro Diamanti and Alessio Cerci.
Ogbonna was in the Italy squad that reached the final of last year's European Championship but he didn't play. Ranocchia was also a late omission from the Euro 2012 squad and struggled at Inter Milan this season.
Midfielder Alberto Aquilani was reportedly in danger of missing out but stayed in after a good season at Fiorentina and a strong performance in the 4-0 win over San Marino.
Defender Andrea Barzagli also kept his place despite struggling with right leg tendinitis.
Italy:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli).
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus).
