November promises to be an unusually busy month for the Italy Under-21 National Team. On Thursday 26 November, the Azzurrini will discover their opponents and group for the European Championship in Albania and Serbia (16 June-3 July 2027). Before then, they will play two friendlies: against France in Laval on Friday 13 November (kick-off at 18:30 CET, live on Rai 2) and against Belgium at the ‘Armando Picchi’ Stadium in Livorno on Monday 16 November (kick-off at 18:15 CET, live on Rai 2).

BACK IN LIVORNO. The Under-21s will return to the Tuscan city 25 years after their last appearance there (a 4-1 friendly win over Austria in 2001, with Pirlo among the goalscorers). It will also be the Azzurrini’s fifth game at the ‘Picchi’, where they remain unbeaten, with three wins and one draw. Their record includes a 0-0 friendly draw against Israel in 1993, when Inzaghi and Vieri formed the attacking partnership, while Cannavaro and Del Piero were also in the squad.

AGAINST BELGIUM. The Azzurrini have faced the Red Devils eight times, recording four wins, one draw, and three defeats. The most recent meeting came in the final tournament of the 2019 European Championship, when Italy beat Belgium 3-1 in Reggio Emilia in their final group game, with goals from Barella, Cutrone, and Chiesa.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION. Media representatives are advised that accreditation for Italy vs. Belgium (Monday 16 November, kick-off at 18:15 CET at the Armando Picchi Stadium in Livorno) is now open exclusively via the FIGC online accreditation portal: https://figc.getyourevent.online/. Accreditation requests can be submitted once the required registration on the FIGC accreditation portal has been completed. The deadline for submitting media accreditation requests is Monday 9 November at 12:00 CET. Please note that access to the stadium and to media activities on MD-1 and MD will be restricted to accredited media only and will depend on the actual availability of working positions. Accreditation confirmations or refusals will be communicated only after the application window has closed.