Buffon, Totti in Italy's World Cup squad

ROME: Italy's coach Marcello Lippi has announced his 23-man squad for the June 9-July 9 World Cup finals in Germany.

Juventus goal-keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who is being investigated for suspected illegal betting on Serie A matches last season, is included in the group.

Roma captain Francesco Totti also gets the nod despite having not played a full competitive game since returning to action after breaking a bone in his left leg in February.

AC Milan's Fillipo Inzaghi, whose last game for Italy was against Azerbaijan in October 2003 before a series of injuries blighted his career, is rewarded for a superb spell at the end of the season with a place among the strikers.

Lippi defended his decision to select Buffon, who has admitted to betting on matches in the past, before stopping last year when the Italian football federation prohibited all kinds of gambling.

"Buffon hasn't been charged with anything, so we have no problem taking him," he said. Totti insisted he would be 100 per cent fit by the time the tournament begins.

"When I arrive in Germany on June 12 I will be in top form," he said. "The more I play, the better I feel. I still have a month to get fitter."

The three reserves are Massimo De Sanctis (Udinese, goal-keeper), Daniele Bonera (Parma, defender), Marco Marchionni (Parma, midfielder), Franco Semioli (Chievo, midfielder).