Roberto Mancini called up 34 players, including eight newcomers, on Friday to his first Italy squad since returning as coach, ahead of four Nations League games.

Mancini has been tasked with revitalizing a team in crisis and his squad includes a mix of experienced players who he led to the European Championship title in 2021, and potential debutants. Eight players are uncapped: Mohamed Ali Zoma, Antonio Vergara, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia, Michael Kayode, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Inácio and Sebastiano Esposito.

Italy starts at home to Belgium on Sept. 25 before playing Türkiye three days later, France on Oct. 2 and Türkiye again on Oct. 5. Italy is in crisis after failing for a third straight time to qualify for the World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April, shortly after the playoff defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mancini was rehired as coach, three years after he abandoned the same job for a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia.