“We’re certainly not lacking in determination or the desire to go out there and win.” Rachele Giudici has nailed the Italian spirit in a nutshell.
She was named in the Team of the Tournament at the recent UEFA Women’s U-17 European Championship, a tournament that helped the Azzurrine secure their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ taking place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November 2025.
With the global competition just weeks away, Italy will go toe-to-toe with the hosts, Brazil and Costa Rica in the group stage. Giudici spoke to FIFA about the upcoming tournament, the ambitions of Viviana Schiavi’s Italy and much more.
Rachele Giudici: The UEFA European Championship was out of this world, particularly as it earned us a spot at the World Cup. The tournament was all about the team. Each game brought us closer and we became a really tight-knit group. We’re over the moon to have qualified for the World Cup. It’s something we’ve dreamed about for a long time. We worked our socks off to get there and thoroughly deserve our place.
I’m thrilled, especially since it came as a surprise. There were so many top-drawer players at the tournament, and when I saw the notification on my phone at home, I didn’t really know what to make of it at first. Seeing my name in the Team of the Tournament was such an incredible feeling.
I really look up to Luka Modric, and Manuela Giugliano. She has always been my inspiration, ever since I was little, and I think she always will be, because she’s such a well-rounded, complete player. I strive to be like her and always watch her matches.
As the UEFA European Championship went on, match by match, we started to realise that qualification was within our grasp and that we could achieve it. Topping the group was an absolutely fantastic feeling. We’ll be on the plane to Morocco soon. We’re under no illusions that it’ll be tough, but it promises to be an amazing experience.
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Morocco, so it’s going to be amazing. It’s such a beautiful place, and I can’t wait to get there and see what it has to offer.
It’ll be a tricky group. We know we’ll be coming up against some tough teams, but we also know that we’re a team that’s hard to beat and difficult to play against. We’re certainly not lacking in determination or the desire to go out there and win.
Playing Spain at the UEFA European Championship was tough enough, but facing Rosalia made it even harder. I’d love to relive that match and go up against her again.
To always keep moving forward with our heads held high, taking it one step at a time. We’ll take each match as it comes and put the work in on the training ground. It’s important to always respect the opposition, but to be confident we can go out there and play to the best of our ability.
