Mancini adds nine newcomers to Italy's Nations League squad

Roberto Mancini announced his first squad on Friday since his return as Italy's head coach. Nine players will make their debut in the Azzurra, while three former regulars are called up again. Training starts Monday 21 September in Coverciano, ahead of the Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkey and France.

Nine debutants in the squad

The newcomers include Bologna‑goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, Roma‑defender Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford‑defender Michael Kayode. Monza‑defender Eddy Kouadio, Cagliari‑midfielder Alessandro Romano and Ipswich Town‑defender Issa Doumbia also take their first step in the national team. Forwards Sebastiano Esposito of Sassuolo, Antonio Vergara of Napoli and Mohamed Ali Zoma of Nürnberg complete the list of debutants.

Romano chose to represent Italy instead of Switzerland, Kouadio is a promise uncovered by Fiorentina, and Zoma has scored five goals in five matches in the German second division.

Three familiar faces return

Mancini has also recalled Nicolò Fagioli and Nicolò Zaniolo, both absent since October 2024. Rolando Mandragora returns after his last call‑up in March 2021. The three veterans add experience to a largely refreshed squad.

Italy seeks advantage in the Nations League against Turkey

The Azzurra will face Belgium on 25 September at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, continue on 28 September in Bursa against Turkey, and conclude the first Nations League round against France in Saint‑Denis on 2 October, with a return to Bologna on 5 October for the second clash with Turkey.

Italy missed a World Cup earlier this calendar year for the third consecutive time, after which a crisis was declared and Mancini was appointed in July to restore calm.

Attacking options such as Mateo Retegui remain absent due to a tibia fracture in April, while Manuel Locatelli, Federico Chiesa and Marco Palestra are unavailable for the upcoming internationals because of physical issues.

Mancini experiments: Italy beats Turkey and responds to the Belgian

Alongside the debutants, established names such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nicolò Barella, Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Calafiori are also in the 34‑man list, underscoring the depth of the Italian squad.