Italy vs France is a heavyweight UEFA Nations League 2026-27 League A, Group A1 clash at the San Siro (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) in Milan, and it is the penultimate group game for both sides. France sit top of the group, three points ahead of second-placed Italy, and a win in Milan would secure their place in the quarter-finals. For Italy, the game is about pride and survival in the race for a top-two finish, and the motivation runs deeper because they missed out on the 2026 World Cup, where France reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. Al Jazeera101greatgoals
The game also has a storyline built around the two benches. Roberto Mancini is back for his second spell in charge of the Azzurri, while Zinedine Zidane took over from Didier Deschamps after the World Cup. Zidane has plenty of history with Italy, having spent five seasons at Juventus and been sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. A cool November evening in Milan, a full San Siro and a group on the line should give the match a proper knockout feel. Al Jazeera
Before this round, France led the group with 10 points from four games and a goal difference of +5, Italy had 7 points and +3, Belgium had 6, and Turkey had none. Italy’s route has been uneven. They lost 2-0 to Belgium in their opening game, then beat Turkey twice and drew in Paris. France have been more consistent: a 1-0 win in Turkey, a 1-0 win in Belgium and a 4-1 thrashing of the Belgians in Paris. The only game France have not won under Zidane is the draw against Italy, so the Azzurri will arrive believing they can repeat it. How to watch Italy vs France match in the USA: Live stream and TV for 2026-27 UEFA Nations League +2
UEFA Nations League 2026-27 Match Details
Match: Italy vs France
Competition: UEFA Nations League 2026-27, League A, Group A1 (Matchday 5)
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Kick-off time: 8:45 p.m. CET / 7:45 p.m. GMT / 2:45 p.m. ET / 12:45 a.m. PKT (Friday, November 13)
Venue: San Siro (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza), Milan, Italy
Live Streaming Info
The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League league phase runs from September 24 to November 17.
Live Streaming Info:
In the United States, the match is available on Fubo, Fox Sports 1, ViX and FOX One. In South Africa, viewers can watch on SuperSport via DStv or the DStv Stream app. Broadcasters in other regions are confirmed closer to matchday, so check your local rights holder. worldsoccertalkoctafield
Live Score Info:
UEFA Nations League 2026-27: live scores for all matches are available on FlashScore.
Injury and Team News
France’s main worry is their captain. Kylian Mbappé did not train on Wednesday and remained under treatment, and the staff gave no details of the problem. He is back in the squad after missing the last three matches through injury. William Saliba, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembélé, Manu Koné, Pierre Kalulu and Esteban Lepaul are all out injured. Ibrahima Konaté and Aurélien Tchouaméni return after missing the last round, and Dayot Upamecano is back from suspension. Al JazeeraAl Jazeera
Italy have their own gaps. Gianluca Mancini withdrew with a muscular injury and was replaced by Federico Gatti, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Giacomo Raspadori and Moise Kean are also injured. AC Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse earned his first call-up after scoring seven goals in 12 games this season. Al Jazeera
Head-to-Head Record
The two nations have met 42 times, with Italy winning 20, France winning 12 and 10 draws. Italy lead the historical rivalry, but recent meetings have been much more even. The last five games were France 1-1 Italy (October 2, 2026), Italy 1-3 France (November 2024), France 1-3 Italy (September 2024), France 3-1 Italy (a 2018 friendly) and Italy 1-3 France (a 2016 friendly). Al JazeeraAl Jazeera
Italy Analysis
Mancini’s side is a young, rebuilt group still finding its identity. He has called up several teenagers, including Parma’s Simone Lontani, Como’s Mattia Liberali and Riccardo Cassano, and said he likes the bond forming between the young players and the experienced ones. Their strengths are Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, a defence led by Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori, and a midfield built around Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali. Bastoni scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw in Paris. The weakness is the lack of experience up front and in the full-back positions, where injuries have forced changes. Al JazeeraAl Jazeera
Italy will probably sit in a compact shape, win the ball in midfield and look for quick passes into the Esposito brothers. Their heavy defeat to Belgium shows they can be exposed when pressed high, and France will try to do exactly that.
Probable XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali, Doumbia; Vergara, Pio Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito.
France Analysis
France have been the best side in the group so far, with attacking depth even without several regulars. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise scored a superb free-kick against Italy in Paris and a stunning solo goal in Belgium days earlier. Olise has contributed four goals and two assists in this Nations League campaign. If Mbappé plays, he gives France the sharpest finisher on the pitch. If not, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Olise have the flair to cover for him. Al Jazeera101greatgoals
Zidane’s approach blends possession with quick, vertical attacks, backed by a midfield of Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot. Their main concern is the absence of Saliba and Kalulu, which leaves Upamecano and the newcomers to handle Italy’s runners.
Probable XI: Mike Maignan; Gusto, Jacquet, Upamecano, Truffert; Cherki, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Olise, Doué, Mbappé.
Tactical Battles
The key contest is France’s pace and creativity in the final third against Italy’s compact block. If Italy’s defenders step up to press Olise and Cherki, they risk leaving space behind them, which is where France are most dangerous. If Italy stay deep, they can frustrate France, but they will need Barella and Tonali to win the second balls and start counter-attacks quickly.
The midfield duel between Tonali and Tchouaméni will likely decide who controls the tempo. Set pieces could matter as well, since the last meeting produced a free-kick goal from Olise. Mbappé’s fitness is the biggest variable. A late call on him could change how Italy set up their defence.
The Opta supercomputer makes France favourites at 47.4 percent, with Italy on 28.3 percent and a draw at 24.3 percent. That fits a France side with the better results and more quality, but the San Siro crowd and Italy’s draw in Paris suggest this will be closer than the numbers imply. Al Jazeera
This looks like a tense, tactical game in front of a loud crowd, with France in control for long spells and Italy dangerous on the break. France have the better squad and a place in the quarter-finals to play for. Prediction: France 2-1 Italy, with Olise or Mbappé deciding it, but Italy are likely to score and make it uncomfortable until the final whistle.