Roberto Mancini plans extended 35-man Italy squad for Nations League return

According to leaked details published by La Gazzetta dello Sport, returning Italy head coach Roberto Mancini is set to name a massive 35-man squad for the upcoming international window. This move marks the beginning of Mancini's second spell in charge of the Azzurri.

The expansion of the squad reflects a demanding schedule, with Italy tasked with playing four Nations League fixtures in just 11 days. The team is set to face Belgium in Rome, followed by away trips to Turkey and France, and a final home match against Turkey in Bologna.

The squad is expected to feature several uncapped prospects, including Romano, Zoma, and Samuel Inacio, alongside potential call-ups for Doumbia and Ahanor. Bologna goalkeeper Pessina is also in contention to join the established trio of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi, and Guglielmo Vicario.

Mancini is exploring new depth in central midfield and attacking roles, with players like Romano and Zoma showing promise in recent form.

While new faces are expected, core members of the Euro 2020 winning side like Nicolò Barella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Bryan Cristante, and Alessandro Bastoni remain central to the project. Veterans such as Federico Bernardeschi and Rolando Mandragora are under consideration for surprise recalls. However, injury setbacks have ruled out key players including Federico Chiesa, Nicolò Zaniolo, Manuel Locatelli, and Alessandro Buongiorno.

To avoid disrupting the Italy Under-21 Euro qualification campaign, Mancini has decided to keep talents like Cher Ndour, Niccolo Pisilli, and Luca Koleosho with the youth setup. Effective squad rotation will be critical as the Azzurri target a top-two finish in their Nations League group, which would secure a quarter-final spot and impact seeding for the Euro 2028 qualification draw.