Azzurri Shift to 24-Year Squad Average for Crucial Nations League Ties
Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini has named a 31-player roster featuring an average age of 24 years and 171 days for upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against France and Belgium. The selection marks the youngest senior squad assembled during Mancini’s managerial tenure with the national team.
Youth Pivots Reshape Italy Roster Structure for November Doubleheader
The squad integration brings multiple teenagers into senior international training, including 18-year-old Honest Ahanor, 18-year-old Matteo Palma, and 19-year-old Mattia Liberali. Uncapped teenagers Riccardo Cassano and Simone Lontani were included to train alongside the senior group before joining the under-18 and under-19 setups for international fixtures. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario represents the most experienced figure in camp at 30 years old, followed by 29-year-old midfielder Nicolò Barella.
The roster construction prepares Italy for consecutive UEFA Nations League group phase fixtures, beginning with a meeting against France followed by a Sunday match against Belgium.