The Next Azzurri: 9 New Faces Enter Italy’s National Team
Italy are starting over. After missing the 2026 World Cup, Roberto Mancini has returned to the Azzurri bench with a clear message: the door is open. His first squad includes nine senior-team newcomers, adding fresh names, new paths and youth to Italy’s next chapter. The Nations League gives Mancini a chance to experiment, with Italy playing four matches in 11 days: Belgium in Rome on September 25, followed by two games against Turkey and one against France. To manage the schedule, he has named an unusually large 34-player squad.
Massimo Pessina – Bologna
At just 18 years old, Massimo Pessina is the youngest of the nine new call-ups. The two-metre-tall Bologna goalkeeper made his Serie A debut in November 2025 in unexpected circumstances, replacing the injured Łukasz Skorupski just eight minutes into a match against Napoli. Bologna went on to win 2–0, giving Pessina a clean sheet on his professional debut.
With Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi and Guglielmo Vicario also in the squad, immediate playing time may be difficult to find. But at his age, simply training alongside three established international goalkeepers could make this an important first step towards Italy’s future.
Michael Kayode – Brentford
Michael Kayode may be receiving his first senior call-up, but he is hardly an unfamiliar name.
The 22-year-old right-back emerged at Fiorentina before moving to Brentford and establishing himself in the Premier League. His connection with the national team also goes back years: Kayode scored the winning goal against Portugal in the 2023 European Under-19 Championship final, delivering Italy the title.
Now his performances in England have brought him to Mancini’s squad. Quick, athletic and capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch, Kayode offers Italy a modern option on the right, and arrives with experience from a football environment outside Serie A.
Issa Doumbia – Sporting CP
Issa Doumbia’s rise has taken him from Serie C all the way to Portugal. The 22-year-old midfielder, born in Treviglio to Ivorian parents, developed at AlbinoLeffe before moving to Venezia. After establishing himself there, he joined Sporting CP this summer on a contract until 2031, complete with an €80 million release clause.
Doumbia describes his own game as physical, technical, intense, fast and agile, while naming Paul Pogba as one of his inspirations. His versatility could be particularly useful for Mancini: he combines the physical characteristics of a modern midfielder with the ability to carry and play the ball.
His presence also reflects a wider change within this Italy squad. An Azzurri player no longer necessarily has to establish himself in Serie A before entering the national-team conversation.
Daniele Ghilardi – Roma
23 year old Daniele Ghilardi has taken the longer route to the national team. The central defender developed at Fiorentina before spells with Mantova, Sampdoria and Verona eventually led him to Roma.
His progress through the Italian system is particularly notable: Ghilardi has represented Italy at Under-17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 level. His strong start to the season with Roma ultimately convinced Mancini to give him the final step up.
At 1.89 metres, he gives Italy another physically imposing central-defensive option while already understanding the demands of the Azzurri system from years in the youth teams.
Eddy Kouadio – Monza
Perhaps the biggest surprise is 20-year-old Eddy Kouadio.
Born in Prato and developed in Fiorentina’s academy, the central defender is now establishing himself at Monza. Despite his limited top-level experience, his physical presence, ability in individual duels and confidence playing the ball from defence have quickly attracted attention.
Kouadio is also capable of playing in different defensive roles, giving Mancini another versatile option. His selection is particularly significant because he had also attracted attention from Ivory Coast but has chosen to represent Italy.
Rather than waiting until he becomes an established Serie A name, Mancini appears willing to bring him into the environment early.
Alessandro Romano – Cagliari
Alessandro Romano represents another bet on potential.
The 20-year-old midfielder, born in Switzerland, came through Roma’s academy before spending part of last season with Spezia. He moved to Cagliari this summer, where he has been given the opportunity to establish himself in Serie A.
Left-footed and technically gifted, Romano can operate centrally or as a mezzala. His vision, passing and ability to move forward from midfield give Italy a different profile in an area traditionally central to the Azzurri identity.
His international story is interesting too. After previously representing Switzerland at youth level, Romano received FIFA clearance to represent Italy shortly before Mancini’s call-up.
Sebastiano Esposito – Sassuolo
For Sebastiano Esposito, this call has been a long time coming.
The 24-year-old forward was once one of Inter’s most highly regarded academy prospects and has represented Italy throughout the youth levels. His senior career, however, has involved a much less straightforward journey through several clubs before finding stability.
Now at Sassuolo, Esposito has started strongly and recently scored in a 3–2 victory over Juventus. He has also been used not simply as a traditional striker, but as a forward capable of dropping deeper, linking play and helping create attacks.
There is also a nice family element at Coverciano: his younger brother Francesco Pio Esposito is in the same Italy squad. For the first time, the two brothers are together with the senior Azzurri.
Antonio Vergara – Napoli
Antonio Vergara has gone from Napoli’s academy to the Italian national team.
The 23-year-old is a left-footed attacking midfielder capable of playing as a number ten or mezzala. His game is built around finding spaces between the lines, combining in tight areas and making runs into the penalty area.
After progressing through Napoli’s youth system, his performances have earned the confidence of Massimiliano Allegri this season, and now Mancini.
Vergara could offer Italy something particularly valuable: creativity between midfield and attack. Rather than fitting neatly into one position, his ability to operate across attacking areas gives Mancini another way of connecting the two.
Mohamed Alì Zoma – Nürnberg
Then there is one of the squad’s most intriguing stories.
22-year-old Mohamed Alì Zoma, born in Merate, plays his club football in Germany with 1. FC Nürnberg. Primarily a second striker, he can also operate from the left or as a centre-forward.
His selection makes him one of several members of the new generation developing outside Italy. Rather than coming through one of Serie A’s biggest academies and immediately establishing himself domestically, Zoma’s route to Coverciano has taken him abroad.
That makes him another example of the increasingly varied pathways through which players can reach the Azzurri.
What Do the Nine New Faces Tell Us About Italy?
Italy has spent most of the past ten years trying to find a way back to the standard people expect from a team that has won four World Cups. This time, the solution might not come from one group of talented players or one star player, but from expanding where Italy looks to find its players.
These nine new players show this change. Some came through Italy’s well-known academy system, others built their skills playing in other countries, and some took different paths to reach the national team.
Not all nine will play for Italy regularly. But that is not really the main point. Their selection shows that the team is open to new players.
In the years ahead, some of the players joining the national team for the first time this week could become the players people think of when they think of Italy.
Ready for more?
From Italy’s next generation to a player who made his name in Serie A, discover Radja Nainggolan’s story and his reflections on Italian football, international recognition and life in the game.
And with the Euros approaching, keep an eye on the players who could soon make their mark on Europe’s biggest stage.
To stay up to date with the latest football x lifestyle stories, follow Life After Football on Instagram.
