Debutants, returnees, doubts and omissions: Predicting Mancini’s Italy call-ups

Debutants, returnees, doubts and omissions: Predicting Mancini’s Italy call-ups La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Alphadjo Cisse and Lorenzo Amatucci are expected to be among the new faces in Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad, which will be announced later this week. Italy CT Mancini will name his squad for upcoming Nations League games against Belgium and France later this week, probably between Thursday and Friday, reports Gazzetta. Mancini’s Italy squad predicted: First call-up for Cisse? ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Alphadjo Cisse of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 28, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The pink paper claims that the team will include 26 to 28 players. Michael Kayode, Issa Doumbia and Alessandro Romano, who debuted in the previous international break, will be confirmed in the first team. Honest Ahanor is also expected to join the senior Azzurri squad. Nicolò Pisilli and Luca Koleosho are likely to be promoted from the U21 squad after playing with the Azzurrini in September and October. Bryan Cristante is also expected to return to the team after missing the previous four matches due to an injury. LISBON, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 9: Issa Doumbia of Sporting CP celebrates a third goal scored by Rodrigo Zalazar of Sporting CP in action during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Sporting Club de Portugal and Galatasaray A.S. at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 9, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) Milan starlet Cisse will likely join the team, earning his first senior call-up. The same is true of Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Lorenzo Amatucci, 22. Mancini is assessing Emanuele Lulli (Roma) and Davide Bartesaghi (Milan). The coach’s team could also include Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), with Mateo Retegui returning. LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Samuele Inacio of Borussia Dortmund during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Mohamed Ali Zoma is injured, while Italy U21 will call up Samuele Inacio. Moise Kean, Giacomo Raspadori, Gianluca Scamacca, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are injured and unavailable for selection. The same is true of Matteo Ruggeri, Manuel Locatelli, Alessandro Buongiorno, Federico Chiesa, and Giovanni Leoni.