The Azzurri will open their UEFA Nations League campaign against Belgium at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday 25 September before welcoming Turkey to Bologna’s Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday 5 October. By odd coincidence, Italy’s most recent matches in both stadiums were also against Belgium and Turkey.

Drawn in Group A1 of League A, Italy will begin their Nations League campaign against Belgium before travelling to face Turkey on 28 September (venue to be confirmed) and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 2 October. The first international break of the season, which will see the Azzurri play four matches in the space of 11 days, will conclude with the home fixture against Turkey on 5 October. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarter-finals, while the bottom-placed side will be relegated to League B. The third-placed nation will contest a play-off against one of the runners-up from League B to retain its place in League A. The quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs are scheduled for March 2027, with the Nations League Finals taking place in June 2027.

 

Italy and Turkey ahead of their friendly in Bologna on 4 June 2024

PREVIOUS FORM IN ROME AND BOLOGNA. Italy’s most recent match in Rome was also against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. On Thursday 10 October 2024, the sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. The Azzurri raced into a two-goal lead through Cambiaso and Retegui before goals from De Cuyper and Trossard earned Belgium a share of the spoils. Rome has hosted more Italy internationals than any other city, with the national team playing 65 matches there, recording 39 wins, 19 draws and seven defeats. Similarly, Italy’s most recent fixture in Bologna also came against Turkey. The two sides drew 0-0 in a friendly on 4 June 2024, the Azzurri’s final warm-up match ahead of the Euros. Italy have played 24 matches in the Emilia-Romagna capital, posting a record of 16 wins, five draws and three defeats.

ITALY’S GROUP A1 NATIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE

25 September 2026 (20:45 CEST): Italy vs Belgium – Stadio Olimpico, Rome

28 September 2026 (20:45 CEST): Turkey vs Italy – Venue to be confirmed

2 October 2026 (20:45 CEST): France vs Italy – Stade de France, Saint-Denis

5 October 2026 (20:45 CEST): Italy vs Turkey – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna

12 November 2026 (20:45 CEST): Italy vs France – Venue to be confirmed

15 November 2026 (20:45 CEST): Belgium vs Italy – King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels