Dragoni made her debut in a home friendly against Morocco on Saturday. The match finished goalless.
Milena Bertolini’s squad announcement came with few other surprises, as she included key players including Cristiana Girelli, Lisa Boattin and Manuela Giugliano.
It was already known 34-year-old captain Sara Gama would not be in the squad for “technical-tactical and physical” reasons.
Bertolini did not say who would wear the armband in her absence.
Defenders Maria Luisa Filangeri and Beatrice Merlo are on standby and will train with the squad in the lead-up to the tournament, ready to step up in case of illness or injury.
The ninth edition of the World Cup is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with Italy starting their campaign against Argentina on July 24 before taking on Sweden and South Africa in Group G.
ITALY SQUAD: Rachele Baldi, Francesca Durante, Laura Giuliani; Elisa Bartoli, Lisa Boattin, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Martina Lenzini, Elena Linari, Benedetta Orsi, Cecilia Salvai; Arianna Caruso, Valentina Cernoia, Giulia Dragoni, Manuela Giugliano, Giada Greggi, Emma Severini; Chiara Beccari, Barbara Bonansea, Sofia Cantore, Valentina Giacinti, Cristiana Girelli, Benedetta Glionna, Annamaria Serturini.
AAP
