Nations League official line-ups: Italy vs. Belgium

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Football Italia

·25 September 2026

Nations League official line-ups: Italy vs. Belgium

Italy start Francesco Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, Alessandro Romano and Sandro Tonali in Roberto Mancini’s first game back, as they host Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium in the Nations League opener.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from the game on the Liveblog.

These sides are in Nations League Group A along with France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

Roberto Mancini at the Italy training session in September 2026 (figc.it)

Mancini won the EURO 2020 tournament and controversially walked away in August 2023, but returned after disappointing spells under Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso, plus caretaker Silvio Baldini.

Alessandro Bastoni is suspended, with Federico Dimarco, Marco Palestra and Bryan Cristante injured, while Nicolò Zaniolo was also ruled out by fitness issues for this game.

It’s set to be a 4-3-3 formation with Riccardo Calafiori for the first time replicating his Arsenal role at left-back rather than central defence, and Diego Coppola preferred to Giorgio Scalvini.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s presence at right-back means Italy can shift to a 3-5-2 when needed, with Nicolò Cambiaghi on the other side.

Romano makes his Azzurri debut in midfield, having switched allegiance from Switzerland, flanked by Tonali and Nicolò Barella.

Kean and Pio Esposito start together upfront rather than battling for the same spot, with Sebastiano Esposito on the bench.

PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio celebrates after scoring his team’s first goalduring the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Belgium are also making their debut under a new coach, former Milan midfielder Van Bommel, who hasn’t been on a touchline since 2024.

He brings the classic Dutch 4-3-3 formation to the job, and can rely on plenty of current and former Serie A talent.

PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 07: Mark van Bommel, Head Coach of Royal Antwerp, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 07, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku and Andre Onana are out injured, with Thibaut Courtois left out for this run of games by mutual consent.

Milan defender Koni De Winter, Kyriani Sabbe and Malick Fofana are also sent to the stands.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – JULY 01: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at Düsseldorf Arena on July 01, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Napoli midfielder De Bruyne and Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere start, with Mika Godts shifting Milan summer signing Diego Moreira over to the right in place of Dodi Lukebakio.

Bologna defender Arthur Theate and Parma midfielder Mandela Keita are on the bench, with ex-Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku and Juventus-owned Lois Openda.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 10: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)