Belgium vs. Italy: Probable line-ups, kick-off time, where to watch on TV

MILAN - NOVEMBER 12: Davide Frattesi of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Pio Esposito is expected to lead the line for Italy when they take on Belgium in their final Nations League group stage fixture on Sunday evening, but Roberto Mancini still has a handful of doubts over his starting XI according to the latest updates. 

Italy lead their Nations League group heading into Sunday’s decisive set of fixtures. The Azzurri have picked up 10 points after five matches, as have second-placed France. Belgium are in third ahead of kick-off on nine points and Turkey are in last place on zero. 

Italy claimed the lead of the group with a 3-1 victory over France in San Siro on Thursday night: Their first win at home against Les Bleus since 1962.

Belgium were the victors (0-2) when they faced Italy in Rome at the beginning of the September-October international break. Italy have gone four games unbeaten since then, while Belgium have lost twice to France over the same period. 

Italy will be without at least two of the players that started against France earlier this week: Both Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Cambiaghi are unavailable, and Mancini confirmed during his pre-match press conference on Saturday that Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt. Sebastiano Esposito could also drop out of the starting XI. 

According to pre-match reports from Sky Sport Italia, Issa Doumbia is the most likely candidate to start in Frattesi’s place in a like-for-like swap in central midfield. Nicolo Fagioli is also an option in that role. 

Antonio Vergara is in line to start on the right wing in place of Cambiaghi. 

Federico Dimarco could be introduced on the left wing, although he may be required to start at left-back if Calafiori is not fit to start. There is also a toss-up over Michael Kayode or Marco Palestra at right-back. 

There could be several familiar Serie A faces in the Belgium line-up, including Milan’s Diego Moreira, Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne and Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere.

Kick-off this evening is due at 19.45 BST.

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Lava; Moreira, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere. 

Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Doumbia, Tonali, Barella; Vergara, Pio Esposito, Dimarco. 

Where to watch Belgium vs. Italy 

Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on Amazon Prime pay-per-view. Supporters in the USA are also able to tune in via Prime Video and through fuboTV.

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.