Cassano and Lontani Receive First Call-Up, Will Not Debut in November

Roberto Mancini has called up young Riccardo Cassano and Simone Lontani, who play for Como and Parma, to Italy's national team squad for the Nations League matches in November. Mancini announced the 31-man squad on Thursday evening.

According to the FIGC statement, the two players will train with the senior team for only a few days before returning to the U18 and U19 squads. The federation noted that the players will not remain with the group for the entire camp. Cassano is 17 years old and has not yet played an official match for Como. Lontani is 18, has made 10 Serie A appearances and scored three league goals for Parma.

Italy sit second in their group with 7 points from four matches. France lead with 10 points, Belgium have 6, and Türkiye remain on 0 points. Italy will face France at the San Siro on Thursday, 12 November, and play Belgium away on Sunday, 15 November.

The FIGC also reported that the U18 team is preparing for the World Cup, which begins on 19 November, while the U19 team is preparing for the second phase of European Championship qualifying matches, which will be played between 11 and 17 November.