Why beating Turkey in the Nations League could help Italy at EURO 2028

BURSA, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Davide Frattesi of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Italy are in Nations League action against Turkey at the Dall’Ara on Monday evening, and a victory over Vincenzo Montella’s side could help the Azzurri with their placement at EURO 2028 assuming that they qualify.

• Read more: Nations League: Italy vs. Turkiye – probable line-ups and where to watch on TV

Italy vs. Turkey could guarantee a seeded spot at EURO 2028

Roberto Mancini fell to a 2-0 defeat against Belgium in his first match back in charge of the Azzurri at the start of the international break, but has since bounced back with a 4-1 win over Turkey in Bursa and a 1-1 draw against France in Paris. The Azzurri will take on Turkey once again this evening at 19.45 BST in their final Nations League match of the September-October international break. 

As things stand, Italy sit in third place in Nations League League A Group 1 (Group A1). France sit at the top on seven points, Belgium in second on six points, Italy in third on four points and Turkey in fourth on zero points. 

If Italy beat Turkey in Bologna on Monday evening, they will be mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than third place in their group. 

If that happens, not only would Italy avoid relegation to the second tier of the Nations League groups (League B), but they would also be placed among the seeded teams for EURO 2028. 

The teams that finish in first, second and third place in the four Nations League League A groups will make up the 12 seeded nations at EURO 2028, which will feature 24 teams at the final tournament.