The Argentina-born 23-year-old forward on loan at Tigre - 21st in his birth country’s Primera Division - from Boca Juniors, is a surprise selection after Roberto Mancini lamented a lack of options up front.
Italy earlier had Juventus veteran Leonardo Bonucci pull out of the squad after he reported a problem with his leg during training.
West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca is on the bench for the Azzurri this evening after debutant Retegui got the nod.
“He made a good impression on me, it’s not easy,” said coach Roberto Mancini of the striker ahead of the game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“He’s physically fit, he wants to demonstrate and he’ll give us a big hand. Retegui reminds me of early [Gabriel] Batistuta.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma is in goal for Italy against England with Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella forming the midfield.
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Emerson, Scalvini, Romagnoli, Pessina, Cristante, Tonali, Gnonto, Scamacca, Politano.
