Locked dates, open vacancy: Italy’s Nations League awaits a new coach

Italy have confirmed most of their UEFA Nations League fixtures, but the Azzurri still enter the campaign without a head coach after Gennaro Gattuso resigned following the missed 2026 World Cup play‑off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The calendar now lists a home opener against Belgium on 25 September at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, marking the start of Group A1 action.

The opening match pits Italy against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 25 September, the first encounter of Group A1. Both sides will be eager to secure early points in the competition.

Italy then travel to Turkey for their first away game, meeting Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye at the Ataturk Spor Komleski in Bursa on 28 September. The stadium is noted for its distinctive design that resembles a giant green snake.

A return fixture with Turkey is scheduled at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on 5 October, giving Italy another chance to test the Turkish side on Italian soil. The Bologna match follows the earlier Bursa visit within the same group window.

France will host Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October, adding a high‑profile clash to Italy’s September‑October schedule. The venue for the reverse fixture on 12 November has yet to be confirmed.

Group A1 concludes with Italy travelling to Belgium, facing the Red Devils at the King Badouin Stadium in Brussels on 15 November. This away fixture will close the group stage for the Azzurri.

Despite the set schedule, the Azzurri remain without a manager after Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation. Finding a replacement before the September start has become a priority for the Italian federation.