Overview
- Mancini announced the 31-man squad on Thursday for Nations League games against France at San Siro and Belgium away, confirming the group that will gather ahead of the fixtures.
- Four players received their first senior call-ups — Alphadjo Cisse, Mattia Liberali, Riccardo Cassano and Simone Lontani — with Cassano and Lontani set to spend only the opening days with the senior camp before rejoining Italy’s U18/U19 sides.
- A late change was made when Gianluca Mancini withdrew with a right‑thigh flexor problem and 18‑year‑old Matteo Palma was called up as his replacement after switching youth allegiance from Germany to Italy.
- Italy sit second in their Nations League group on seven points and must finish in the top two to reach the quarter-finals, a context that explains why Mancini mixed experience with fresh faces for immediate results and longer-term evaluation.
- The squad follows an extended 34‑player camp launched after Mancini’s return and reflects coordinated planning with Italy’s youth programmes so young players can be observed at senior level while still available for upcoming U18/U19 tournaments.