Italy set to qualify for Euro 2028

Italy are on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2028 via the UEFA Nations League.

A win against Turkey at the Dall’Ara could help the Azzurri with their placement at Euro 2028, assuming that they qualify.

Roberto Mancini began his second spell with the Azzurri with a 2-0 defeat against Belgium but has since bounced back with a 4-1 win over Turkey in Bursa and a 1-1 draw against France in Paris.

If the Azzurri complete a double over Vincenzo Montella’s men in their final Nations League match of the September-October international break, they will be mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than third in their group. 

Italy currently occupy third spot in Nations League Group A while France sit at the top on seven points. They are behind Belgium, who are second on six points. Italy have four points, and Turkey are fourth on zero points. 

A victory also helps Italy to avoid relegation to the second tier of the Nations League groups (League B), but they would also be placed among the seeded teams for EURO 2028. 

The teams that finish in first, second and third place in the four Nations League League A groups automatically make up the 12 seeded nations at EURO 2028, while the remaining 8 of the 24 teams that will feature at the final tournament will emerge through the eight best runners-up.

England and the Republic of Ireland will host the competition. Scotland and Wales. The four co- hosts will be seeded into separate groups.

Meanwhile, Samuele Inacio, who is still eligible to represent the Brazilian national team, could be in line for action for the Azzurri against Turkiye.

If Mancini handed him his competitive debut, he would move a step closer to tying his international future to the Azzurri rather than Brazil. 

The 18-year-old is the son of former Serie A striker Inacio Pia. He holds a double Italian-Brazilian passport and has already made his senior Italy debut in a friendly against Luxembourg in June, under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini.

However, because he made his debut in a non-competitive match, it does not tie him to Italy for international eligibility.

If Inacio still features against Turkiye, it would be his first competitive appearance for the Azzurri, which could still make a future switch to Brazil increasingly unlikely.

Under FIFA rules, 2020 says players can switch national teams after three years without international action, provided they made no more than three senior competitive appearances before turning 21 and did not feature at a World Cup or a major continental tournament, such as the Euros.

Should Inacio feature against Turkiye, it would be his first competitive appearance for Italy at senior level, preventing him from representing Brazil for the next three years.