2026-2027 Nations League: Italy vs. Belgium, Probable Lineups

Roberto Mancini’s second stint as coach of the Azzurri begins. Italy takes the field against Belgium on Friday evening at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico for their opening match in Group 1 of League A of the Nations League. Joining the Azzurri and the Red Devils in the group are France and Turkey, who will face off in Kocaeli at the same time.

With the Gattuso era behind them and the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third time now put aside, Italy is returning to a 4-3-3 formation. The Jesi-born coach has decided to give Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano a pivotal role in the center of midfield, with Barella and Tonali flanking him. The attacking trio will consist of Cambiaghi, Pio Esposito, and Kean; on the left wing is Calafiori in place of the injured Dimarco, and on the right is Di Lorenzo. Mancini is expected to play in the center alongside Coppola and in front of Donnarumma.

Belgium was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup: now they’re back under Van Bommel, who is set to field De Ketelaere as the center forward with Lukebakio and Godts on either side of him. In midfield: Lavia, Tielemans, and De Bruyne. The fullbacks will be Seys and De Cuyper. Doku and Trossard are out.

Italy vs. Belgium: Probable Lineups
ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Barella, Romano, Tonali; Cambiaghi, P. Esposito, Kean. Head Coach: Mancini
BELGIUM (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Seys, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Lavia, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Godts. Head Coach: Van Bommel

“I didn’t know much about Romano, but after the first matchday he made a good impression, so we wanted to see him,” said Mancini. “It wasn’t easy, but we believe he can be very valuable for the future of the national team. He reads the game well, plays one-touch soccer, and will therefore be important going forward. Claudio Ranieri, who coached him at Roma, also played an important role.”