New Era in Blue: Mancini's First Italy XI Takes Shape Ahead of Belgium Showdown

The countdown to a new era has begun. According to Football Italia, Roberto Mancini's first starting XI as Italy head coach is taking shape ahead of the Azzurri's UEFA Nations League opener against Belgium — a fixture that doubles as the opening chapter of Italy's long redemption arc on the road to the 2026 World Cup. For a nation synonymous with defensive mastery and four World Cup triumphs, the past decade has been humbling. Italy's absence from recent major tournaments still stings, and Mancini has been charged with nothing less than restoring the Azzurri to their place among football's elite. Every training session, every tactical tweak, and every team sheet between now and 2026 will be scrutinized through that lens. Early indications suggest the former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss will not be timid. The report points to a starting lineup built on a blend of established internationals and hungry newcomers, with Mancini keen to imprint a more proactive, possession-based identity on a squad that grew stale under previous regimes. Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to anchor the side from goal, while the defensive line — long Italy's sacred territory — is set to feature a mix of veteran leadership and fresh faces desperate to prove they belong at this level. The midfield remains the great laboratory of this project. Mancini is reportedly planning a setup designed to control tempo and supply a forward line that has too often misfired in blue, with Ciro Immobile among those tasked with curing Italy's chronic scoring woes. Standing in the way is a Belgium side dripping with talent. Kevin De Bruyne's vision, Eden Hazard's dribbling, and Romelu Lukaku's raw power make the Red Devils a baptism of fire for any new manager — let alone one overseeing a transition as delicate as Italy's. If Mancini's men can go toe-to-toe with one of Europe's most feared attacking units, it will send an unmistakable message that the rebuild is ahead of schedule. Ultimately, this is about more than one match in one competition. The Nations League offers Mancini a competitive laboratory: a stage to test personnel, build chemistry, and forge the mentality that vanished during the qualifying disasters of the recent past. Italian fans, wounded but hopeful, will be watching closely. The road to 2026 starts now — and against Belgium, we get our first glimpse of whether Mancini is the man to walk it. Source: Football Italia