Mancini returns to Italy with 34 called up and nine debutants

Roberto Mancini has named his first Italy squad since returning to the Azzurri bench. For the start of the Nations League he has called up 34 players, including nine who could make their senior international debut, and brought back key figures such as Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella, Riccardo Calafiori, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Francesco Pio Esposito and Moise Kean. Italy begin this new era on September 25 against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

• Mancini returns to the Italy dugout three years after leaving and starts with nine potential debutants.
• Italy open their Nations League campaign against Belgium in Rome before visiting Turkey and France.
• Manuel Locatelli, Federico Chiesa and Marco Palestra miss out through injury.
• Nicolò Fagioli, Nicolò Zaniolo and Rolando Mandragora are back in an Italy squad.

The nine debutants in Mancini's first Italy squad this season

The list breaks with recent continuity and gives a chance to a group of players without senior international experience. Among the defenders are Roma centre-back Daniele Ghilardi, Brentford full-back Michael Kayode and Eddy Kouadio of Monza. The midfield includes Sporting CP's Issa Doumbia, Cagliari's Alessandro Romano and Napoli's Antonio Vergara. Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, Sassuolo forward Sebastiano Esposito and Nürnberg's Mohamed Alí Zoma complete the new faces.

Donnarumma, Tonali and Calafiori lead the established core of the squad

Mancini keeps the spine he already knows from his first spell and from recent Italy call-ups. Donnarumma remains the main reference in goal, joined by Marco Carnesecchi, Massimo Pessina and Guglielmo Vicario. In defence, Alessandro Bastoni, Calafiori, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Federico Dimarco, Gianluca Mancini and Giorgio Scalvini are all included. Barella, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi and Tonali stay in midfield, with Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora returning. Up front, Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori, Pio Esposito, Kean, Daniel Maldini and Nicolò Zaniolo keep their places.

Locatelli, Chiesa and Palestra ruled out through injury

Mancini's first block of matches comes with several absences due to physical problems. Manuel Locatelli, Federico Chiesa and Marco Palestra are unavailable for this international window. Their absence opens up more space for the newcomers and the players returning to the group, especially in creative roles and wide areas.

Italy start in Rome against Belgium and finish in Bologna against Turkey

The Azzurri's schedule in this opening phase of the Nations League begins with Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on September 25. Three days later, Italy travel to face Turkey, then meet France in Saint-Denis on October 2. The run ends with a second match against Turkey, this time in Bologna on October 5.

Mancini's return after three years: European champions, Nations League finalists and the Qatar failure

The coach returns to the job he left in 2023. During his first spell in charge, from 2018 to 2023, he won Euro 2020 and led Italy to the Nations League finals twice, finishing third on both occasions, although he could not guide the team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He now takes over after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in March, a resignation that followed another failed World Cup qualification campaign. Silvio Baldini acted as interim coach until Mancini arrived.

Frequently asked questions about Italy's latest squad