Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates Italy’s Nations League win over Turkey at Bologna’s Renato Dall’Ara on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy remain in contention for the Nations League quarter‑finals and have already clinched top‑seed status for the Euro 2028 qualifiers.
After a 2‑0 home loss to Belgium, the Azzurri rebounded with wins over Turkey and a 1‑1 draw in France.
Italy’s solid Nations League standing
Those results sit them second in Group A, just three points shy of leaders France (10) and six behind Belgium (6).
Their last two fixtures are a home clash with France on Nov 12 at San Siro and an away game in Brussels on Nov 15.
The top two in each group advance to the Nations League quarter‑finals, while the two lowest third‑placed sides enter play‑offs and the best fourth‑placed team avoids relegation to League B.
A win over Belgium would guarantee second place, no matter how the France match ends.
Mancini has already hit a key milestone: Italy are mathematically assured of a top‑seed slot in the Euro 2028 qualifying draw. For my money, locking the seed early gives Italy a strategic edge.
The draw takes place on Dec 6 in Belfast, with Italy placed in Pot 1 among eight nations.
Group A1
Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| 2 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | Belgium | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Turkey | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -9 | 0 |