Italy host Belgium in Rome as Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel open Nations League campaigns

New eras at the Stadio Olimpico

Italy will host Belgium on Friday at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to open their 2026–2027 UEFA Nations League League A campaign. Around 40,000 spectators are expected in the capital for the first fixture of Group 1, which also features France and Turkey. The match marks the beginning of Roberto Mancini's second tenure as head coach of Italy, following three consecutive missed World Cup qualifications. Mancini last managed the national team in the 2023 Nations League third-place playoff in the Netherlands before returning to the role. Belgium arrives under new management as well, with Mark van Bommel taking charge of his first match after replacing Rudi Garcia following a World Cup quarter-final defeat against Spain.

Tactical plans and roster changes

Mancini called up 34 players for this international window, which includes four fixtures in eleven days. Defender Alessandro Bastoni is unavailable due to suspension, and Federico Dimarco withdrew with an injury, replaced in the roster by Matteo Ruggeri. Italy is set to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, captained by 27-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in his 84th international appearance. Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano is in line for a starting debut in midfield alongside Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali. In attack, Pio Esposito and Moise Kean are competing for starting roles alongside Nicolò Zaniolo or Nicolò Cambiaghi.

Managers outline ambitions

Both managers spoke at pre-match press conferences in Rome on Thursday about the limited preparation time of just two to four days before their opening fixture. Mancini addressed the need to build early momentum with supporters while managing expectations for nine debutants in the squad.

It would be nice to win right away, but we know that it will not be an easy challenge against a strong team. We had only two training sessions to prepare for the match and we will have to be fast, but the goal is to play well and win to immediately bring the fans behind us.

Van Bommel, who won a Serie A title at the Stadio Olimpico during his playing career with AC Milan, stated that his squad aims to control the fixture from the outset.

This is a big challenge for us. We want to play important games, like this one against Italy. For us, this commitment is a double challenge: we want to dominate the game and win.

Squad selections and group outlook

Belgium travels with six current Serie A players, including Koni De Winter, Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne, Mandela Keita, Charles De Ketelaere, and Diego Moreira. Forward Romelu Lukaku is continuing his return to peak fitness and is not expected to start, leaving De Ketelaere to spearhead the attack. Captain Youri Tielemans noted the squad's continuity from the World Cup despite the managerial switch. Bookmaker Sisal lists Italy as a 2.20 favourite to win Friday's encounter, compared to 3.20 for a Belgian victory and 3.50 for a draw.

In the wider group standings, France remains the favourite to top Group 1 at odds of 1.40, followed by Belgium at 5.00, Italy at 7.50, and Turkey at 33.00. German referee Daniel Siebert will officiate the encounter alongside assistants Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn, with Sascha Stegemann as the fourth official and Bastian Dankert serving as video assistant referee.