Why Zaniolo will not feature in Italy vs. Belgium Nations League opener

UDINE, ITALY - APRIL 18: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese looks on during the warm up ahead of the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Friuli on April 18, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Roberto Mancini will make his second debut as head coach of the Italy national team against Belgium in the Nations League on Friday evening, but is expected to leave Nicolo Zaniolo out of his matchday squad. Here’s why. 

Mancini named a squad of 34 players for the September-October international break, which will see Italy take on Belgium, Turkiye (twice) and France over the coming weeks. 

As these are competitive UEFA-sanctioned fixtures, Mancini will only be able to name a matchday squad of 23 players, which means that 11 must watch Friday’s game against Belgium from the stands. 

According to Friday morning’s reports, those 11 players will be Massimo Pessina, Alessandro Bastoni (suspended), Daniele Ghilardi, Eddy Kouadio, Matteo Ruggeri, Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Fagioli, Samuele Inacio, Sebastiano Esposito, Antonio Vergara and Zaniolo. 

According to the latest reports from Tuttosport, the decision to exclude Zaniolo from the matchday squad was taken due to a physical issue. The Azzurri staff feel that he is not yet in the best condition after missing three Serie A matches for Udinese with a hamstring injury earlier this month. 

Zaniolo has not appeared for the Italy national team since a friendly against Ecuador on March 24, 2024. 

There had been suggestions that he was in contention to start on the wing for Mancini’s first game back in charge, but Friday morning’s reports indicate that Italy will go with Moise Kean and Nicolo Cambiaghi supporting Pio Esposito at centre-forward.