The Italy Euro 2024 squad will come around sooner than you think, with the Azzurri getting ready to defend their continental crown at this summer's finals in Germany.
Since the last Euros three years ago, though it's hardly been smooth sailing for one of football's most decorated nations: they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and they made somewhat hard work of sealing their place at the Euros.
Euro-winning boss Roberto Mancini's surprise resignation partway through qualification saw Luciano Spalletti step into the dugout – and, barring another wild turn of events, he will be the man leading Italy into Euro 2024.
The Azzurri – who have been placed in a tough-looking Group B with Spain, Croatia and Albania – continued their preparations with March friendly victories over Ecuador and Venezuela in the USA.
As with every team at the tournament, FourFourTwo will bring you all the latest on Italy as we report live from the European Championship.
Italy's squad
Italy Euro 2024 squad: The squad for the March friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
GK: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
GK: Alex Meret (Napoli)
GK: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta)
DF: Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan)
DF: Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)
DF: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)
DF: Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino)
DF: Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan)
DF: Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
DF: Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus)
DF: Destiny Udogie (Tottenham)
DF: Raoul Bellanova (Torino)
MF: Jorginho (Arsenal)
MF: Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan)
MF: Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina)
MF: Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)
MF: Bryan Cristante (Roma)
MF: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
MF: Michael Folorunsho (Verona)
FW: Federico Chiesa (Juventus)
FW: Nicolo Zaniolo (Aston Villa on loan from Galatasaray)
FW: Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli)
FW: Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna)
FW: Mateo Retegui (Genoa)
FW: Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)
FW: Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese)
Italy Euro 2024 squad numbers
Squad numbers are yet to be confirmed for Euro 2024.
Roberto Mancini's decision to quit the national team in August came as a shock – and Luciano Spalletti's appointment came as something of one, too.
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The former Inter Milan and Roma manager had recently started a year-long sabbatical after leading Napoli to last season's Serie A title – but he jumped at the chance to take over as Italy boss.
His tenure started in shaky fashion as Italy drew 1-1 with North Macedonia, but he clinched his first win in charge against Ukraine in his second game.
Italy's star player
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the top goalkeepers on the planet (Image credit: Getty Images)
Italian success has historically been built on a robust rearguard action – and their last line of defence, Gianluigi Donnarumma, was their main man en route to Euro 2020 glory.
The hero in the penalty shootout victory over England in the final at Wembley, Donnarumma has more than lived up to the immense potential he showed as a youngster – when he broke into the AC Milan first team aged just 16.
Now 24, he's still a baby in goalkeeping terms, but the towering PSG shot-stopper has already established himself as one of the world's best in his position.
FAQs
How many players are Italy allowed to take to Euro 2024?
UEFA confirmed in February that each competing nation will be able to name a final squad of 23 players in their Euro 2024 squads, including a mandatory three goalkeepers.
After a couple of tournaments featuring 26-player teams, UEFA have now reverted from the expanded squad.
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to 2021's European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the fixture congestion, the expanded squads returned for the World Cup. Without those same issues, 23-player squads have made a return.
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Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...
