Italy and Belgium begin their 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaigns on Friday, September 25, 2026, with a marquee League A Group 1 matchup at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The match kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET in the United States and is part of the opening round of Nations League group play. Italy and Belgium share Group A1 with France and Türkiye. FIGC
Italy vs Belgium Match Details
Match: Italy vs Belgium
Competition: 2026-27 UEFA Nations League
League/Group: League A, Group 1
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Kickoff: 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Location: Rome, Italy
Surface: Grass
Stadium capacity: 70,634
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Germany’s Daniel Siebert has been assigned as referee for the match, according to the Italian Football Federation. FIGC
How to Watch Italy vs Belgium in the USA
Fans in the United States have several options for following Italy vs Belgium. The broadcast listings shown for the match include:
TV/Streaming: ViX, Fubo Sports, FOX Sports 2, FOX Sports online and FOX One
Streaming option: Fubo
Kickoff: 2:45 p.m. ET
Broadcast availability can vary by provider and subscription package. UEFA also maintains a country-by-country list of official Nations League broadcast partners. UEFA.com
Italy Begins New Era Under Roberto Mancini
The match carries extra significance for Italy because it marks Roberto Mancini’s first official match since returning for his second stint as national-team coach.
Italy enters the Nations League following the disappointment of missing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mancini has begun reshaping the squad, calling up several uncapped players as the Azzurri begin a new cycle. Reuters
The Belgium matchup will also be the 900th match in the history of the Italian men’s national team. FIGC
What’s at Stake in Italy vs Belgium?
Italy and Belgium are starting from scratch in Group A1, making Friday’s contest the first opportunity to pick up points in what could be a competitive group.
The four teams are:
- Italy
- Belgium
- France
- Türkiye
Each country plays six group matches, three at home and three away. The top two teams advance to the Nations League quarterfinals. The fourth-place team is relegated to League B, while the third-place team faces a promotion/relegation playoff. FIGC
That format makes getting points at home particularly important for Italy, especially with matches against France and Türkiye still to come.
Italy vs Belgium Recent History
The Stadio Olimpico provides a familiar setting for this matchup.
Italy’s previous match in Rome was also against Belgium, when the teams played to a 2-2 draw on October 10, 2024 in the Nations League. Italy jumped out to a 2-0 advantage before Belgium responded through Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard. FIGC
Italy has historically performed well in Rome, entering this match with 39 victories, 19 draws and seven defeats across 65 previous national-team appearances in the city. FIGC
Italy vs Belgium Kickoff Time
For viewers across the United States, kickoff is scheduled for:
Eastern Time: 2:45 p.m.
Central Time: 1:45 p.m.
Mountain Time: 12:45 p.m.
Pacific Time: 11:45 a.m.
In Italy, the match begins at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Italy vs Belgium: UEFA Nations League Matchday 1
Italy vs Belgium is one of the headline fixtures of the opening round of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. With France and Türkiye also competing in Group A1, points could quickly become valuable in the battle for the two quarterfinal positions.
For Italy, the night represents the beginning of another Mancini era. For Belgium, it is an opportunity to start its Nations League campaign by taking points away from home against one of its primary group rivals.