Mancini to call fresh Italy talent, lock down Inacio, Romano and Doumbia

TRIESTE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 03: Samuele Inacio of Italy U17 celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the International Friendly match between Italy U17 and Portugal U17 at Stadio Nereo Rocco on September 03, 2024 in Trieste, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Roberto Mancini is set to call several new faces for Italy’s Nations League matches against Belgium and Turkiye, locking down Samuele Inacio, Issa Doumbia and Alessandro Romano to the Azzurri.

The Nazionale begin their second era under Mancini with the home game against Belgium on September 25 in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, then visit Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye on September 28.

France complete the group and that first encounter will be on October 2 in Paris.

Mancini prepares new Italy era

According to Sky Sport Italia, Mancini has already contacted almost 70 players to let them know they are up for consideration, although ultimately only around 30 will actually be called up.

The squad will be announced on Friday September 18.

The initial focus will also be on locking down certain players who have dual citizenship and could therefore be poached by other nations.

They include Sporting CP signing Issa Doumbia, who was born and raised in Italy, already making three appearances for the Under-21 side, but never at senior level.

Another important figure is 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund talent Inacio, because while he has already earned his first senior cap for Italy in June 2026, it was only a friendly match.

That means he could still technically change nationality for a competitive fixture and has been openly courted by Brazil.

Romano just turned 20 in June, and unlike Doumbia and Inacio, he was not born in Italy.

The Cagliari midfielder was born in Switzerland and played for the Swiss side at every youth level up to Under-20.

However, he decided only a few days ago to change his commitment to the Italy team instead.

Others who could get senior calls after impressing in Serie A this season include Alphadjo Cisse of Milan, Como’s Mattia Liberali, Constantino Favasuli of Napoli, Parma’s Simone Lontani, and Brentford’s 22-year-old right-back Michael Kayode.

There are another two Oriundi who could still be called, but Matteo Palma of Udinese is currently injured, so he won’t need to choose yet between Italy and Germany.

The situation remains up in the air for Club Brugge hitman Nicolò Tresoldi, who has played for Germany at Under-21 level and doesn’t seem ready to make a decision until after the Under-21 European Championship.

Probable Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma, Vicario, Carnesecchi, Caprile

Defenders: Palestra, Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Dimarco, Bastoni, Udogie, Mancini, Scalvini, Gatti, Coppola

Midfielders: Tonali, Barella, Cristante, Frattesi, Pisilli, Doumbia, Romano, Fagioli, Vergara; Zaccagni, Politano, Cambiaghi, Cisse, Bernardeschi