Italy and Belgium will face each other in a major <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/where-to-watch-uefa-nations-league-2026-online/8172-7-0">UEFA Nations League</a> clash on Friday, with both teams starting a new era under different coaches.

Roberto Mancini has returned as Italy&rsquo;s head coach for a second spell. He previously led the national team until 2023 and will now look to guide them through another Nations League campaign.

The group is expected to be highly competitive, with France and Turkey also in the race for the top positions. Every result could prove important as the teams battle for progress in the tournament.

Belgium will also begin a new chapter, with former player Mark Van Bommel taking charge for the first time. They will hope to put their World Cup quarterfinal exit behind them and start the new campaign on a positive note.

In this article, we will take a quick overview of the upcoming Nations League clash between Italy vs Belgium, so that you can understand how both teams are preparing for the high-stakes contest. Let&rsquo;s first take a look at the squads of both teams below.

<h2>Italy Squad for UEFA Nations League 2026/27</h2>

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus)

Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Crystal Palace), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Sandro Tonali (Tottenham)

Forwards: Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna), Francesco Esposito (Inter), Sebastiano Esposito (Sassuolo), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Moise Kean (Como), Daniel Maldini (Cagliari), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Nicolo Zaniolo (Udinese), Mohamed Ali Zoma (Nurnberg)

<h2>Belgium Squad for UEFA Nations League 2026/27</h2>

Goalkeepers: Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea), Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Koni De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Bologna)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Mandela Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Milan), Lois Openda (Lyon), Leandro Trossard (Bestikas)

<h2>Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League Match Preview</h2>

A good start in the Nations League opener will be important for both Italy and Belgium as they look to make it through a difficult group that also includes France and Turkiye.

Italy will have home support behind them in the opening game, and their past meetings with Belgium give them plenty of reason to feel confident. The Azzurri have won six of their eight meetings with the Red Devils, along with one draw and one defeat.

The last meeting between the two sides took place in November 2024 during the Nations League. Italy came away with a 1-0 victory in Brussels, with Sandro Tonali scoring the only goal of the match.

Keeping these stats in view, many fans are backing Italy to dominate the upcoming contest. However, they still cannot underestimate the Belgians, who are also coming into the Nations League on the back of a steady World Cup performance.

<h2>Final Words</h2>

The upcoming Nations League contest between Italy and Belgium is expected to be a tough encounter, as both teams have reputed stars who can produce match-winning performances. The Italians do have the home advantage, but Belgium also have a settled squad that can challenge them on their own turf. Considering this, fans are quite excited for this clash, as it promises to produce a highly competitive 90 minutes between the two well-known European rivals.

Italy and Belgium face off in a highly competitive UEFA Nations League clash as Roberto Mancini and Mark Van Bommel begin their new spells in charge.

Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League Full Match and Squad Analysis

Cristiano Ronaldo is not done chasing major goals with Portugal, as the veteran forward wants to help the team win the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/where-to-watch-uefa-nations-league-2026-online/8172-7-0">UEFA Nations League</a> while also reaching the 1000-goal mark in his career.

Ronaldo spoke about his plans at the Portugal Football Summit on Wednesday, making it clear that he still believes he can make a difference for his country. His comments came just as Jorge Jesus is preparing for his first match in charge of the national team.

Jesus has taken over from Roberto Martinez, who left the position after Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Portugal captain currently has 979 career goals to his name. He has scored 833 times at club level and 146 goals for his country, leaving him 21 goals short of the 1,000-goal target he has set for himself.

&quot;One goal is to achieve both, reaching 1000 goals and the national team trying to win this Nations League,&quot; said <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/cristiano-ronaldo-net-worth-2026-footballs-first-billionaire-icon/5632-7-0">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> at the Portugal Football Summit in Lisbon.

&quot;It&#39;s a new era with manager Jorge Jesus, whom we all know well; I just hope things go well for him.&quot; added Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking about reaching 1000 goals, Ronaldo said it would be &ldquo;icing on the cake&rdquo; if he reached the milestone in Portugal&rsquo;s colors.

&quot;Scoring my 1,000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something, a beautiful story. It wouldn&#39;t be the end of it, but it would be a beautiful story.&quot; said Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo also added that he is not obsessed with this milestone, as helping Portugal defend the Nations League trophy is more important to him.

&quot;I&#39;ve already admitted that I want to get there, and I will get there. An obsession? No ... The rest is about enjoying it, enjoying every day.&quot; said Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo also revealed that he was unsure about continuing with Portugal after their World Cup exit, but discussions with the country&rsquo;s FA and new coach Jesus changed his mind and convinced him to stay with the national team.

&quot;They count on me. I still believe that I&#39;m able to help the national team. The most important point is to be able, inside the pitch, to score goals and help the team to win games.&rdquo; said Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing the 1000-goal milestone while hoping to guide Portugal to another UEFA Nations League triumph under Jorge Jesus.

Cristiano Ronaldo Targets Historic 1000-Goal Mark With Portugal

A new UEFA Nations League campaign is about to begin, with the first matches scheduled for September 24, 2026. A total of 54 national teams will take part, with the competition running until the finals in June 2027. The teams are divided into four divisions, with 16 sides in each of Leagues A, B and C, while League D has six teams.

The strongest teams have been placed in League A, where 16 nations will compete in four groups. Each team will play six games during the international breaks in September, October and November. The line-up includes several major European sides such as France, Germany, Spain, England, Italy and the Netherlands, while Portugal enter the competition as the defending champions.

In this article, we will discuss the streaming details of the upcoming tournament, letting you know how to watch the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-releases-202627-unl-schedule-for-extended-autumn-window/8163-2-0">UEFA Nations League</a> live on the internet through tapmad. Let&rsquo;s take a look at how you can get started with the platform easily.

<h2>How to Watch UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Live on Internet</h2>

Football fans can tune into tapmad to catch all the action of the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 live on the internet. Here&rsquo;s a quick step-by-step process with which new users can take advantage of tapmad to watch this tournament online.

<ul>
	<li>Visit the tapmad website or open the tapmad mobile app.</li>
	<li>Sign in to your existing account or create a new one with the preferred credentials.</li>
	<li>Choose a subscription plan if required.</li>
	<li>Search for the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 in the sports section.</li>
	<li>Start streaming the tournament on your preferred device without any ads.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Final Words</h2>

Football fever is about to return, as the UEFA Nations League is set to start on September 24. To catch all the action from this tournament, there is no better choice than tapmad, which offers you a great way to watch all the matches live on the internet. Whether you are in the office or at home, tapmad is your perfect gateway to enjoy all the action of the UEFA Nations League without any ad interruptions.

Want to watch the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 live online? Read this blog to learn how tapmad offers a simple way to watch all the matches of the league live on the internet.

How to Watch UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Live in Pakistan and Bangladesh

Xavi Hernandez is set to begin his time as Netherlands coach with a busy run of Nations League games. Before his first match, the former Barcelona boss said his side must show greater intensity and be willing to take the attack to their opponents.

His first test will come on Thursday when the Netherlands welcome Germany in Amsterdam. The schedule will then continue with two meetings against Serbia, followed by an away match against Greece during the extended international break.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-releases-202627-unl-schedule-for-extended-autumn-window/8163-2-0">UEFA Nations League</a>, Xavi said he met the Netherlands squad for the first time on Monday, but he wants the team to get into action as quickly as possible to meet the challenge of the upcoming tournament.

&quot;Everything is new for me and for the staff so it will first be to get to know each other, know all the players, insist or convince them about our way to play,&quot; said Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez.

&quot;We don&#39;t have too much time. But no excuses, every coach is in the same situation.&rdquo; added Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi then explained his plans for the team, saying he is open to work with everyone to create a friendly environment within the squad.

&quot;I want to explain the values that we want from the squad. I want to show them that I&#39;m open for them, I want to help them. I want to enjoy the process with them. We want to create a family, we want to create a big group. The players must come to the national team with happiness, but at the end, the main goal is to win.&quot; said Xavi Hernandez.

When asked about what to expect from the team, Xavi said his squad will make sure to play with intensity to get positive results in the tournament.

&quot;You cannot promise results but we will work for results. But I can promise that we will play with intensity, with passion, with a good rhythm, trying to be competitive and trying to be taking the initiative in the game. This for sure,&quot; said Xavi Hernandez.

&quot;There&#39;s going to be a different way of playing. I don&#39;t want to compare, and I don&#39;t want to talk about the past. I respect Ronald a lot. But I&#39;m focused on the present.&quot; added Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi Hernandez wants the Netherlands to play with greater intensity as he prepares for his first UEFA Nations League match against Germany in Amsterdam.

Xavi Hernandez Backs Netherlands to Show Intensity in Nations League

Roberto Mancini has made a number of changes to Italy&rsquo;s squad as he prepares for his first matches since returning as head coach. The 34-player group for <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-releases-202627-unl-schedule-for-extended-autumn-window/8163-2-0">UEFA Nations League</a> includes nine players receiving their first international call-ups, while several experienced names have been left out.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the tournament, Roberto Mancini backed his decision, saying he gave a call to the young players with the future of the team in mind.

&quot;Had I called all the experienced players, you would have said, &#39;always the same players&#39;. It is appropriate to get to know young players to build a strong team for the future. We needed more players than usual because we have four games and want to see them on the pitch.&quot; said Italy head coach Roberto Mancini.

&quot;We don&#39;t know how long it will take, but we&#39;ll have to be quick in understanding the players we have and figuring out what they can give us in the future,&quot; added Roberto Mancini.

Mancini also spoke about the disappointment surrounding Italy&rsquo;s recent struggles, including their failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup. He said fans had every right to be unhappy but urged everyone to stay united.

&quot;The past doesn&#39;t count anymore. When a fan feels betrayed, he has the right to be upset, and you have to accept it. We must do things well and bring the national team where it belongs so things will settle.&quot; said Roberto Mancini.

Mancini is back in charge of Italy after the federation went through a troubled period over the summer. Gennaro Gattuso had already left the role, while plans to appoint Andrea Pirlo were abandoned after his links with a Russian betting company led to heavy criticism.

The difficult situation also marked an uneasy beginning for new FIGC President Giovanni Malago. Mancini, though, played down the pressure around the federation as Italy prepared for their Friday meeting with Belgium in Rome.

&quot;The president is calm, so we must think about our job, do well and win the first game against Belgium, which won&#39;t be so easy. We must think about our duties.&quot; said Roberto Mancini.

Roberto Mancini has backed his decision to introduce nine new players into Italy’s revamped squad for the UEFA Nations League as he looks to build a strong team for the future.

Roberto Mancini Confident in Italy’s New-Look Squad for UEFA Nations League

England will be missing some important players in the upcoming <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-releases-202627-unl-schedule-for-extended-autumn-window/8163-2-0">Nations League</a> fixtures, with Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice all withdrawing from the squad.

Thomas Tuchel has responded by adding two new names to the group. Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton&rsquo;s James Garner have been called up and are due to report for duty on Tuesday.

Gibbs-White was already in contention for a place in the squad. Tuchel revealed on Friday that the 26-year-old had come close to making the original selection. He has represented England six times so far.

Palmer was also part of Tuchel&rsquo;s initial plans after returning to the England setup. The 24-year-old had previously been left out of the World Cup squad, but his latest call-up has ended with him pulling out because of a minor injury.

Tuchel had earlier challenged Palmer to show what he could do, saying the Chelsea forward needed to raise his game to keep his place and prove he deserved the nomination.

England&rsquo;s busy schedule in the Nations League will start with a meeting against World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on September 26. They will then head to the Czech Republic on September 29 and Croatia on October 3, before facing the Czech Republic again at home on October 6.

Rashford and Mainoo were both checked by Manchester United after they were substituted late in Sunday&rsquo;s 1-1 draw with Fulham. Their withdrawals now mean they will not be available for the England fixtures.

Rice is also out after featuring for the full 90 minutes in Arsenal&rsquo;s 3-0 loss to Brighton. Livramento will miss out as well, having made only three appearances from the bench for Newcastle United so far this season.

It should be noted that all five players have been allowed to remain with their clubs following discussions between England and the respective club medical teams. England have not provided any information about the injuries that have sidelined these players just before the start of the UEFA Nation League 2026/27.

Declan Rice and Cole Palmer Pull Out of England Squad Due to Injuries

https://d34080pnh6e62j.cloudfront.net/images/contentCategorythumb/1789971590_1600x2130.jpg

UEFA Nations League 2026/27

Blogs