Opinions, analysis and commentary
Mancini has rebuilt Italy by putting youth ahead of reputation, calling up nine uncapped players in a 34-man group and lining up a debut for 20-year-old Alessandro Romano against Belgium. The reset follows a third straight missed World Cup and a painful shootout exit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pio Esposito, Daniel Maldini, Diego Coppola and Nicolo Cambiaghi now sit alongside Donnarumma, Barella and Tonali. The Euro 2020 winner has signed through 2030, and his first window will show whether this younger core is ready.
Italy finished second behind Norway in qualifying, then lost the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties. That sealed a third straight World Cup without the Azzurri, and Gennaro Gattuso lost his job soon after. Interim coach Silvio Baldini then blooded a young group through 1-0 friendly wins over Luxembourg and Greece in June. The next wave showed it could compete.
At the end of July, the federation brought back Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini on a deal through 2030. His job is as much emotional as tactical, rebuilding belief among fans who feel the team has drifted since that title.
Mancini named 34 players for the extended September and October window, and nine of them are uncapped. Michael Kayode, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia, Alessandro Vergara, Mohamed Ali Zoma, Honest Ahanor and Samuele Inacio are among the new faces, while Nicolo Fagioli and Nicolo Zaniolo return.
Twenty-three made the matchday list for the Belgium opener. Alessandro Bastoni is suspended after his red card in the Bosnia play-off, while Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante are injured.
| Player | Age | Club | Caps | Club Form This Season |
| Alessandro Romano | 20 | Cagliari (loan from Roma) | 0, debut expected | 1 Serie A goal; 19 Serie B apps at Spezia last season |
| Francesco Pio Esposito | 21 | Inter Milan | 9 (5 goals) | Opening-day backheel goal and assist vs Monza |
| Daniel Maldini | 25 | Cagliari | 2 | Winner in 2-1 victory over Atalanta, 12 September |
| Diego Coppola | 22 | Paris FC | Fringe | Expected to partner Gianluca Mancini vs Belgium |
| Nicolo Cambiaghi | 24 | Bologna | Fringe | Competing with Zaniolo for right wing |
The likely XI against Belgium reads Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Barella, Romano, Tonali; Kean, Esposito, Cambiaghi. Its average age sits around 25, and Romano would be the youngest outfield starter.
Romano was born in Winterthur to an Italian family and only completed his switch from Switzerland on 9 September 2026. He broke through with a Serie A debut for Roma in January, impressed on loan at Spezia and scored early after joining Cagliari. Now he’s in line to start beside Barella and Tonali in his first Italy appearance.
Esposito has already claimed the number 9 shirt. The 21-year-old has five goals in nine caps since his 2026 World Cup qualifying debut, and he opened this Serie A season with a backheel finish against Monza. Maldini gives Mancini a different option. Now 25 and settled at Cagliari, he scored the winner against Atalanta on 12 September and offers a creative spark off the bench.
Belgium arrive at the Stadio Olimpico with a new coach of their own. Mark van Bommel replaced Rudi Garcia after their World Cup exit to Spain. History favours the hosts. Italy hold a 17-4 advantage in the fixture and haven’t lost to Belgium at home since October 2015, though the last meeting in Rome finished 2-2.
With Kean and Esposito up front and Romano debuting, the result will be read as an early verdict on the youth-first plan. Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia and PSG’s Mika Godts ensure no gentle introduction.
Group A1 doesn’t ease up. Italy face Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye away on 28 September and at home on 5 October, then Zinedine Zidane’s France away on 2 October and at home on 12 November. Mancini insists places depend on merit, not reputation. The starting striker role between Esposito and Kean remains open.
With Romano, Coppola, Cambiaghi and the Esposito-Maldini generation now working alongside Donnarumma, Barella and Tonali, the Italy Nations League 2026-27 squad looks like a bridge between eras. The next month will show whether it can carry Italy into its next major tournament bid.
Should Esposito or Kean lead the line for Mancini against Belgium? Share your striker pick in the comments.
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Who is Italy’s new head coach?
Roberto Mancini is Italy’s head coach again, returning at the end of July 2026 on a deal through 2030. He replaced Gennaro Gattuso, who left after Italy lost the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties.
Why did Italy miss the 2026 World Cup?
Italy lost the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout. They reached the play-offs after finishing second behind Norway in qualifying, extending their run to three straight missed World Cups.
Who is Alessandro Romano?
Alessandro Romano is a 20-year-old Cagliari midfielder, on loan from Roma, in line for his Italy debut against Belgium. Born in Winterthur, he completed his switch from Switzerland to Italy on 9 September 2026.
How many goals has Pio Esposito scored for Italy?
Pio Esposito has scored five goals in nine caps for Italy. The 21-year-old Inter Milan striker also opened the Serie A season with a backheel goal and an assist against Monza.
Why is Alessandro Bastoni not playing against Belgium?
Bastoni is suspended after being sent off in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante are also unavailable for the Belgium match through injury.
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