Serie B goalkeeper Alex Meret is the surprise inclusion in the Italy squad to face Albania and Holland.
The 19-year-old Udinese player is on loan with second-division SPAL, who are currently top of the league after putting together an 11-game unbeaten run. He already has 32 age-group caps.
Joining Meret as first-timers in the senior Azzurri selection are Atalanta winger Leonardo Spinazzola and Inter Milan full-back Danilo D'Ambrosio, the 28-year-old former Torino player.
After making a fine start to life with Southampton, former Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini is recalled.
Elsewhere in Giampiero Ventura's 25-man squad there are few surprises, with breakthrough internationals Roberto Gagliardini, Daniele Rugani, Davide Zappacosta and Nicola Sansone retained.
Italy are set to meet Albania in a World Cup qualifying game in Palermo on March 24 before tackling Danny Blind's Holland in an Amsterdam friendly four days later.
Italy squad: Buffon, Donnarumma, Meret; Astori, Barzagli, Bonucci, Darmian, D'Ambrosio, De Sciglio, Romagnoli, Rugani, Spinazzola, Zappacosta; De Rossi, Gagliardini, Parolo, Verratti; Bernardeschi, Candreva, Insigne, Sansone; Belotti, Eder, Gabbiadini, Immobile.