Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini is preparing to call up a number of new faces to the Azzurri roster during the matches between Belgium and Turkey in the European Nations League.
The Italian national team begins its second era under Mancini's leadership by facing Belgium in Rome on September 25, before visiting Turkey under the leadership of Italian coach Vincenzo Montella on the 28th of the same month, while it meets France in Paris on October 2.
Sky Sport Italia reported on Saturday that Mancini has already contacted about 70 players to inform them that they are being studied, with the final list including about 30 players, and it is scheduled to be announced on Friday, September 18.
Mancini is initially focusing on resolving the position of some players with dual citizenship, to avoid the possibility of them choosing to represent other teams. Among them is Issa Doumbia, the Sporting Lisbon player, who was born and raised in Italy and played three matches with its under-21 national team, but has not participated with the first team yet.
Samuele Inacio, the 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund talent, also receives special attention. He previously played one international match with Italy in June 2026, but it was friendly, which means that he is still legally able to change the team he represents in an official match, amid interest from Brazil in including him.
As for Alessandro Romano, who turned 20 last June, he was born in Switzerland and represented its national team in all age groups, even U-20, but he decided a few days ago to change his international association and choose to represent Italy. The Cagliari midfielder caught attention after scoring his team's first goal during the victory over Parma in the Italian League.
Other players who may get a chance with the first team after their brilliance in the Italian League this season include Milan's Alphadjo Cisse, Como's Mattia Liberal, Napoli's Constantino Favasoli, Parma's Simone Lontani, along with Michael Kayode, the 22-year-old professional right-back at Brentford.
There are still two other players of dual origins in Mancini's accounts, but Udinese's Matteo Palma is currently absent due to injury, and therefore he does not need to decide between Italy and Germany at the present time. Nicolo Trisoldi, the Club Brugge striker who previously represented Germany under 21 years, has not decided his position, and it appears that he will not make his decision before the European Under-21 Championship.
Mikael Antonio has joined Watford on a one-year free transfer as the former West Ham United striker returns to English football.
The 36-year-old player, who is West Ham's all-time top scorer in the English Premier League, was involved in a serious car accident in December 2024 when his car collided with a tree on his way home from training. He suffered a fracture in his femur in 4 places, and did not play with the team again.
Antonio left West Ham in August 2025 after the London club decided not to renew his contract. The team was relegated to the First Division after finishing 18th in the English Premier League last season.
Antonio joined Qatari club Al Sailiya in March, the first club he joined since undergoing surgery following the accident.
Antonio said in a statement on Friday: “There is a wonderful group of players here... They are fully focused and ready to show their abilities this season.”
He added: “Watford is a big club, and I am in the process of joining it, and I hope to achieve success and help in all I can.”
He continued: “I scored some goals against Watford!” So hopefully I can score some goals for Watford now when I'm at my best.”
Watford ranks twelfth in the First Division with 8 points from 6 matches.
