Roberto Mancini Reveals Bold 34-Man Italy Squad for Nations League

Roberto Mancini has wasted no time in stamping his authority on Italy’s new era, unveiling a bold 34-man squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign.

Back on the Azzurri bench since late July and tied to a contract through 2030, Mancini has ripped up any notion of gentle transition. Italy face a demanding two-week stretch, with a double-header against Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye and heavyweight clashes with Belgium and France. The reboot begins on Friday, September 25, when Belgium visit the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

A wave of debutants

The most striking feature of the list is the injection of fresh blood. Mancini has handed maiden call-ups to nine players, signalling a clear shift towards renewal.

Between the posts, Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina earns his first senior nod. At the back, Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford full-back Michael Kayode step into the international spotlight, joined by Monza defender Eddy Kouadio.

In midfield, Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano gets his chance, as does Sporting CP prospect Issa Doumbia, underlining Mancini’s willingness to look beyond Serie A for talent.

The front line has been reshaped too. Sassuolo striker Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli forward Antonio Vergara, and Nurnberg striker Mohamed Ali Zoma all receive their first invitations, giving Italy a very different attacking look from recent squads.

Amid the fresh faces, Mancini has also chosen continuity in key areas. Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor and Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio both keep their places after featuring in recent friendlies, rewarded for their performances and potential.

Big returns and a notable omission

The squad list is not just about debuts. It also marks the return of several players who have been on the outside looking in.

Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Udinese attacker Nicolò Zaniolo are both recalled, ending international absences that stretch back to October 2024. Their inclusion hints at a desire to blend rejuvenation with proven quality.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the name of Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora. The 27-year-old returns to the national team picture for the first time since March 2021, a recall that underlines Mancini’s eye for balance in his engine room.

One expected absentee is Chelsea defender Marco Palestra. Yet to play this season due to an ongoing injury, he has been left out of the squad, a decision anticipated in recent weeks as his recovery continues.

A brutal schedule for a new Italy

Italy will assemble at Coverciano on Monday, September 21, for their first training session of this new cycle. From there, the calendar becomes unforgiving.

After hosting Belgium in Rome on September 25, the Azzurri head to Türkiye for the first of two meetings with Montella’s side on September 28. Then comes a marquee test: a trip to face Zinedine Zidane’s France on Friday, October 2, a fixture that will offer an early measure of where Mancini’s rebuilt squad truly stands.

The window closes back on home soil. Türkiye visit again, this time at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on October 5, in what could already feel like a pivotal night in this Nations League run.

New contract, new faces, old names returning to the fold. Mancini has laid his cards on the table. Now the question is simple: can this reshaped Italy turn bold selection into real momentum on the pitch?