Rafael Nogueira
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France host Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Friday 2 October 2026, and these predicted lineups highlight a sharp contrast in how settled each camp looks heading into kickoff. Zinédine Zidane’s France have barely changed a thing across their last two outings, while Roberto Mancini’s Italy have shuffled a couple of midfield roles even as the same core group keeps reappearing. Both projections below are built from actual recent starts rather than any official announcement, so treat them as an informed expected XI rather than a confirmed team sheet.
France Predicted Lineup
France are projected in a 4-3-3, the shape Zinédine Zidane is understood to prefer, and the sample here points to a settled side – all 11 of the projected XI started their last match. Mike Maignan and Maxence Lacroix are the two names who stand out most clearly, each having started both of the matches used to build this projection. With so few games in the sample everyone else on the sheet also started once, but the consistency at goalkeeper and left-back is the closest thing to a nailed-on certainty this projection offers.
France predicted XI: Mike Maignan; Maxence Lacroix, Pierre Kalulu, Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet; Eduardo Camavinga, Maghnes Akliouche, Lucas Da Cunha; Bradley Barcola, Esteban Lepaul, Désiré Doue
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 16 | Mike Maignan | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 17 | Maxence Lacroix | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 2 | Pierre Kalulu | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 13 | Andy Diouf | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 22 | Jérémy Jacquet | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 6 | Eduardo Camavinga | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 18 | Maghnes Akliouche | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 21 | Lucas Da Cunha | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 12 | Bradley Barcola | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 19 | Esteban Lepaul | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 20 | Désiré Doue | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Predicted Italy Line-up
Italy’s projected line-up sits in a 4-2-3-1, again matching Roberto Mancini’s preferred setup, though the picture is a touch less settled than France’s – 9 of the projected XI started their last match. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sandro Tonali are the two players who stand out, both having started every match in the sample used here. Two of the midfield names included, Alessandro Romano and Nicolò Barella, did not feature in the most recent Italy match, a reminder that this expected XI is a projection rather than confirmation of who takes the pitch.
Italy predicted XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Michael Kayode, Giorgio Scalvini, Alessandro Bastoni, Matteo Ruggeri; Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Fagioli, Alessandro Romano, Nicolò Barella; Pio Esposito
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 2 | Michael Kayode | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 19 | Giorgio Scalvini | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | Alessandro Bastoni | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| D | Matteo Ruggeri | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| M | 8 | Sandro Tonali | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 16 | Davide Frattesi | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | Nicolo Fagioli | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| M | 4 | Alessandro Romano | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 18 | Nicolò Barella | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 7 | Pio Esposito | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Team News: Who Is Out
Kylian Mbappé is out injured for France, a blow to the forward options in this squad even though the exact position he’d have occupied isn’t specified in the projection data. Among the bench options who carry a start in the recent sample, Adrien Truffert looks as well placed as any to be called upon if changes are needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | injured | Tendonitis |
Giacomo Raspadori is out injured for Italy, which thins the forward options in Roberto Mancini’s squad given Pio Esposito is currently the only recognised striker in the projected XI. Sebastiano Esposito, who also carries a start in the two-match sample used here, offers Italy an alternative should cover be required up front.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giacomo Raspadori | F | injured | Hamstring Injury |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Both predicted lineups here are built from each side’s last two matches, the only fixtures currently available for either team, with the more recent of the two weighted more heavily than the other. Any player confirmed injured or suspended, such as Kylian Mbappé and Giacomo Raspadori, has been removed from selection entirely. Because only two matches feed into each side’s projection, this team news should be read as a tentative, data-led estimate that can and will change once the official teams are named.
Read also: France vs Italy Prediction: 02.10.2026 UEFA Nations League Preview
Read also: France vs Italy Head-to-Head: Record, Stats and Form as of 30 Sep 2026
FAQ
What formation are France and Italy expected to play?
France’s predicted line-up sits in a 4-3-3, while Italy’s expected XI is set out in a 4-2-3-1, both matching each head coach’s preferred shape.
Who is predicted to start in goal for France vs Italy?
Mike Maignan is projected to start in goal for France, with Gianluigi Donnarumma expected between the posts for Italy.
Who is unavailable for France vs Italy?
Kylian Mbappé is out injured for France, and Giacomo Raspadori is out injured for Italy.
What time does France vs Italy kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match between France and Italy kicks off on Friday 2 October 2026.