Italy vs Belgium: UEFA Nations League Preview, Team News and H2H

Italy vs Belgium opens the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign for both teams on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CEST (21:45 EAT). Follow SP Score for confirmed lineups, live scores, match events and results as the fixture develops.

The League A Group A1 opener places Italy and Belgium in a demanding section alongside France and Türkiye. It also begins a new international cycle for both teams: Roberto Mancini is back in charge of Italy, while Belgium start their Nations League campaign under Mark van Bommel.

This preview covers the confirmed match details, latest squad news, Italy vs Belgium head-to-head record and the tactical factors that could shape the game.

Italy travel to Türkiye on 28 September and France on 2 October after this opener. Belgium return home to face France on 28 September before hosting Türkiye on 2 October, making the Rome fixture the first step in a demanding opening sequence for both sides.

Roberto Mancini has begun his second spell as Italy head coach with a significantly refreshed squad. Nine players received first senior call-ups in the original 34-man group, while established names including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Nicolò Barella, Sandro Tonali, Moise Kean and Gianluca Scamacca provide experience.

Italy have already made changes because of fitness issues. Bryan Cristante was ruled unavailable and replaced by Samuele Ricci, while Federico Dimarco left camp after failing to recover from a physical problem and was replaced by Matteo Ruggeri. Those changes affect Mancini’s options in midfield and on the left side ahead of the opener.

Mancini described the fixture as the beginning of a new cycle after Italy missed the 2026 World Cup, making the Nations League an immediate opportunity to rebuild confidence while integrating a younger group.

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Belgium also begin a new chapter, with Mark van Bommel taking charge of the Red Devils. His Nations League squad combines established internationals with newer options and includes Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Lois Openda and Romeo Lavia.

De Bruyne remains one of Belgium’s central creative figures, while the range of attacking options gives Van Bommel different ways to build around Lukaku, Openda, Trossard and De Ketelaere. Belgium’s selection also includes several players familiar with Italian football, adding another layer to the tactical matchup in Rome.

Italy hold the stronger historical record in this fixture. UEFA’s head-to-head overview lists 17 Italy wins, four Belgium wins and five draws across their meetings.

The most recent Italy vs Belgium match at the Stadio Olimpico came in the 2024/25 Nations League and finished 2-2. Italy moved two goals ahead through Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui before Belgium responded through Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard.

Italy then won the return Nations League meeting in Brussels 1-0 in November 2024. The teams have also met in major tournaments, including Italy’s 2-1 EURO 2020 quarter-final victory and a 2-0 Italy win at EURO 2016.

Italy’s immediate story is the start of Mancini’s rebuild. Donnarumma remains an experienced presence in goal, while Bastoni and Calafiori can influence progression from defence. Barella and Tonali offer intensity and passing quality through midfield, with Mancini carrying several different forward profiles in a large squad.

Belgium’s creative threat still runs strongly through De Bruyne, while Tielemans can help control possession and connect midfield with the front line. Lukaku provides a focal point, but Van Bommel can also turn to more mobile attacking combinations involving Openda, Trossard and De Ketelaere.

·       Italy’s midfield balance: Barella, Tonali and the available central options will be important in controlling Belgium’s creative players.

·       Belgium between the lines: De Bruyne and Tielemans can punish space if Italy’s midfield and defensive lines become disconnected.

·       Wide areas: Italy’s change at left-back and Belgium’s attacking width could make the flanks particularly important.

·       Centre-forward choices: both coaches have multiple attacking profiles, so the selected striker combinations will influence pressing, buildup and transition play.

·       The first goal: with France and Türkiye also in Group A1, neither side will want to spend the opening match chasing the game.

Italy vs Belgium prediction searches are better served by assessing the variables around the match than by treating one scoreline as certain. Italy have home advantage and a dominant historical H2H record, but they are beginning a new cycle with several new faces and some late squad changes.

Belgium have enough experience and attacking quality to create problems, particularly if De Bruyne and Tielemans find space to supply the forwards. The tactical approach chosen by two coaches starting new phases with their national teams should therefore be considered alongside recent form, confirmed lineups and late availability news.

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Confirmed starting XIs and live match information are time-sensitive and should be updated only after official release. SP Score provides the maintained destination for confirmed lineups, live scores, match events and the final result.

When is Italy vs Belgium?

Italy vs Belgium is scheduled for Friday, 25 September 2026.

What time is Italy vs Belgium?

Kick-off is at 20:45 CEST, which is 21:45 EAT.

Where is Italy vs Belgium being played?

The Nations League match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

What group are Italy and Belgium in?

Italy and Belgium are in UEFA Nations League A Group 1 with France and Türkiye.

Who is Italy’s coach?

Roberto Mancini is back in charge of Italy for a second spell.

Who is Belgium’s coach?

Mark van Bommel is Belgium’s head coach for the 2026/27 Nations League campaign.

What is the Italy vs Belgium H2H record?

UEFA’s current head-to-head overview lists 17 Italy wins, four Belgium wins and five draws.

What happened in the last Italy vs Belgium match in Rome?

Italy and Belgium drew 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in the UEFA Nations League in October 2024.

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Italy vs Belgium opens League A Group A1 with both teams beginning important new phases. Mancini is rebuilding Italy after returning for a second spell, while Van Bommel takes Belgium into a new Nations League campaign with experienced attacking options still available. Italy’s strong historical record gives the fixture useful context, but current squad changes, midfield control and the coaches’ tactical choices will be more relevant once the teams take the field in Rome.