Liam Duckstein
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Belgium and Italy meet in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday 15 November 2026, and this page sets out the predicted lineups for both sides, with each side’s expected XI built from recent selection and the latest team news. Both projections are currently based on a single recent line-up, so they are tentative and should be read as a starting point rather than a settled picture.
Belgium Predicted XI
Belgium are projected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, which is the shape Mark van Bommel prefers. The projection is largely settled on the evidence available, with nine of the eleven selected players starting the one recent line-up used here. Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku both started that match, so they are the two names the projection leans on most heavily. Because only one line-up sits behind this XI, the picture could shift quickly once more matches are added.
Belgium predicted XI: Senne Lammens; Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Nathan Ngoy, Timothy Castagne; Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Nicolas Raskin, Mandela Keita, Hans Vanaken; Jeremy Doku
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Senne Lammens | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 4 | Brandon Mechele | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 5 | Maxim De Cuyper | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 15 | Nathan Ngoy | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 21 | Timothy Castagne | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 7 | Kevin De Bruyne | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 8 | Youri Tielemans | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 23 | Nicolas Raskin | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 6 | Mandela Keita | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| M | 20 | Hans Vanaken | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 11 | Jeremy Doku | 1/1 | 1/1 |
Italy Predicted Lineup
Italy are also projected in a 4-2-3-1, the formation Roberto Mancini prefers for this side. Their projection is likewise largely settled, with nine of the eleven selected players starting the single recent line-up that the projection is built on. Pio Esposito and Sandro Tonali both feature in that starting group, and the back four of Michael Kayode, Riccardo Calafiori, Giorgio Scalvini and Alessandro Bastoni is the part of the expected XI that looks most consistent. As with Belgium, the sample is small, so treat this as a tentative projection.
Italy predicted lineup: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Michael Kayode, Riccardo Calafiori, Giorgio Scalvini, Alessandro Bastoni; Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi, Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia; Pio Esposito
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 2 | Michael Kayode | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 5 | Riccardo Calafiori | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 19 | Giorgio Scalvini | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | — | Alessandro Bastoni | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 8 | Sandro Tonali | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 16 | Davide Frattesi | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 18 | Nicolò Barella | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 4 | Alessandro Romano | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| M | 15 | Issa Doumbia | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 7 | Pio Esposito | 1/1 | 1/1 |
Injuries and Suspensions
Belgium’s main team news is the absence of Romelu Lukaku, who is out injured. His departure takes a forward out of the picture, so the attacking options run through the players already in the projected XI and the bench. Mandela Keita and Hans Vanaken, both of whom are midfielders, are the names most likely to shape the middle if the front line is reshuffled. Charles De Ketelaere and Diego Moreira are the bench players best placed to come in, since both started a match in the recent data.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romelu Lukaku | F | injured | Hip injury |
For Italy, no players are currently flagged as out injured or unavailable through suspension, so the projected XI is not reduced by any listed absentees. Nicolo Cambiaghi and Sebastiano Esposito are the bench players with a start in the recent data and are the most natural options if a change is needed in the attack. Any late change to the official team would be the first thing to watch.
How We Predict These XIs
Each predicted XI for Belgium and Italy is built from the last recent line-up available for that side, which is the only match used for both projections here. Players confirmed as injured or suspended are removed before the XI is set, and the formation follows each coach’s preferred shape. This is a projection that can change when the official team is announced, and with only one line-up behind each side, it should be read as a tentative guide.
Read also: Belgium vs Italy Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form (Updated November 2026)
Read also: Belgium vs Italy Prediction: 15.11.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Preview
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Belgium and Italy?
Senne Lammens is the predicted starter in goal for Belgium, and Gianluigi Donnarumma is the predicted starter for Italy. Both sides are projected to line up in a 4-2-3-1.
Is Romelu Lukaku available for Belgium against Italy?
No, Romelu Lukaku is out injured and is not in the predicted XI for Belgium. Italy have no players currently flagged as unavailable.
When does Belgium vs Italy kick off?
The match is scheduled for Sunday 15 November 2026 in the UEFA Nations League.
Are the Belgium vs Italy predicted lineups confirmed?
No, both XIs are projections built from recent selection rather than official team announcements. They may change once each coach names the official line-up.