Itália omit Jorginho from Nations League squad as Mancini rebuilds
Roberto Mancini revealed on Friday his first Italia squad since returning to the helm, naming 34 players for the opening four fixtures of the 2026‑27 Liga das Nações. Midfielder Jorginho of Flamengo, who had featured in the preliminary list, was omitted from the final roster.
Schedule and group composition
Italia will debut at home against Bélgica, then travel to face Turquia and França before closing the first round with a second home game versus Turquia. The inaugural match is set for 25 September at 15:45 local time.
Italia sits in Group A of the Liga das Nações alongside França, Bélgica and Turquia. The two highest‑placed sides progress straight to the quarter‑finals, while the third‑placed team enters a playoff to retain its place in the competition's top tier.
Mancini’s return and staff reshuffle
Mancini returned after Italia missed a third consecutive World Cup. He previously managed the side from 2018 to 2023, guiding them to Euro 2021 glory and a record 37‑match unbeaten run.
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Claudio Ranieri has also taken a new role at the Federazione Italiana, coordinating the technical area of the national selections alongside Mancini.
The 34‑man squad features goalkeepers Carnesecchi, Donnarumma, Pessina and Vicario; defenders Ahanor, Bastoni, Calafiori, Coppola, Di Lorenzo, Di Marco, Ghilardi, Kayode, Kouadio, Mancini and Scalvini; midfielders Barella, Cristante, Doumbia, Fagioli, Frattesi, Mandragora, Romano and Tonali; and attackers Cambiaghi, F. P. Esposito, S. Esposito, Inacio, Kean, Maldini, Raspadori, Scamacca, Vergara, Zaniolo and Zoma.
Elsewhere, the Portuguese side announced its first call‑up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus leading the selection (Com Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus). In France, a Novo technical director, Zidane, has altered Deschamps’ rules for the national team (Novo técnico da França, Zidane muda regras de Deschamps).
Sem Jorginho, the Italiana squad now looks to secure a strong start in the Liga, with the opening clash against Bélgica offering the first test of Mancini’s refreshed group.