The Azzurrini entered the competition aiming to claim Italy’s first U17 World Cup crown but ultimately secured third place, their best-ever finish in the tournament’s history.

Led by coach Massimiliano Favo, the squad enjoyed an impressive six-match unbeaten streak before their run was ended by a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Austria.

Still, they recovered to win the bronze medal by beating former champions Brazil in a penalty shootout.

Although they missed out on the coveted trophy, the West Bromwich Albion phenom praised his team’s quality throughout the tournament, highlighting their inspiring global performance.

"Honestly, after losing the semi-final match, everyone was disappointed because we believed we could go all the way," Iddrisa said Flashscore in an exclusive interview.

"But football is unpredictable, so we focused on securing a medal as the best third-placed team in the U-17 World Cup, which is also a huge achievement.

"I think my overall performance was solid. I contributed well both defensively and offensively. I created chances and defended effectively."

Born in Brescia, Italy, to Ghanaian parents, the 17-year-old first represented Italy at U15 level before advancing to the U17 squad.

He played a vital role in Italy's fourth-place finish at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in Albania.

In Qatar, he was key, appearing in every match except the game against Bolivia, and received praise from FIFA’s Technical Study Group for his exceptional performances.

Despite his defensive duties, he scored in Italy’s 3–2 win over Uzbekistan in the Round of 16.

Iddrisa reflected on the lessons learned from the tournament as he returns to England to continue his development with the Baggies and consider his future at the international level.

"The main lesson I’ll bring back to England is the high competitiveness in every match," he added.

"Whether it’s the group stage or the semi-finals, every game is fiercely contested and you must always aim to win. I hope to bring that mindset back and inspire others to be as competitive as I am.

"The unity within the national team is another thing I’ll carry with me. It was clear on the field how we celebrate and play together.

"We’re taking things step by step at the international level and aiming to perform well in upcoming friendlies.

"We also have under-19 qualifiers coming up, so we’ll try to qualify. We’re focused on gradual progress and improving our football."

He discussed his pre-game routine, especially how talking with his father, Dauda, before matches motivates him to perform at his best, as demonstrated in the recent tournament.

"Before every game, I always have a chat with my dad, and he always tells me the same thing: work hard and perform well," he shared.

"I keep that advice in mind every time because it guides me on the path to hopefully becoming a successful professional footballer."

Though reserved off the pitch, Iddrisa has consistently proven himself to be a gifted footballer.

At just 16, he debuted for West Brom’s senior team in the English Football League Cup against Fleetwood on August 13, 2024, coming on as a substitute for Harry Whitwell in the 78th minute under manager Carlos Corberan.

Iddrisa is a flexible player who can perform well in both midfield and defense. If he maintains his development trajectory, he could spark a senior international competition between Italy, England, and Ghana, potentially becoming a key asset for the Black Stars’ future.