World Cup defending champions Italy started a two-week training in an Alpine camp on Sunday.

The Azzurri was based in Sestrierer, a resort at the elevation of 2,000m that was the site of Alpine skiing during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, preparing for the grand event at high altitude in South Africa.

Coach Marcello Lippi has brought 28 players to the camp, with five players to be cut before he submits the 23-man list to FIFA on June 1.

"Everybody is under observation," Lippi said. "I still have some reservations about the final list so the workouts over the next few days will be key."

Italy will travel to Brussels on June 3 for a friendly with Mexico and to Geneva two days later for a warmup match with Switzerland before the World Cup holder opens against Paraguay on June 14.

They also face New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.