Italy vs France is set to be one of the defining fixtures of the opening 2026/27 UEFA Nations League window, with two of European football’s most prominent national teams meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026.

UEFA has identified the contest as one of the standout matches in this edition of the competition, ensuring that attention will extend well beyond the two countries involved. The fixture also represents a significant early test for two newly established coaching eras, with Zinedine Zidane leading France and Mark van Bommel overseeing Italy.

When is Italy vs France?

Italy vs France is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, in League A of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. The match is included in the official league-phase fixture list and is also shown by The Guardian among the fixtures for the current international window. [1][4]

For supporters searching for the match details, the key points are straightforward: this is a Nations League League A meeting between Italy and France, and it will be played on the Monday of the September international programme. UEFA’s decision to highlight the fixture reflects the stature of the pairing and its likely importance within the group stage. [1][2]

Zidane’s France make a winning start

France began their 2026/27 Nations League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Türkiye, giving Zidane a positive competitive start as the team’s new head coach. The result gives France an early platform before facing an Italy side that will provide a different kind of examination. [3]

The narrow scoreline also underlines why the Italy fixture will attract such interest. France have already collected an opening victory, but the meeting with Italy will offer a much higher-profile measure of how Zidane’s team is developing in a competitive setting. It is too early to draw broad conclusions from one result, yet the win ensures that France enter the clash with momentum rather than needing an immediate recovery.

A significant early challenge for Italy

Italy’s meeting with France comes during a period of transition under Van Bommel. That makes the fixture particularly important: high-level internationals can quickly expose how a new coach’s ideas translate against an opponent with comparable pedigree.

The match should therefore be viewed as more than a prominent name on the schedule. It is an early opportunity for Italy to establish its direction in the Nations League, while France will seek to build on the foundation created by their opening victory over Türkiye.

Why the fixture matters in the Nations League

The Nations League is designed to provide competitive international football in place of a series of purely friendly fixtures. A match between Italy and France naturally raises the stakes, even before the wider league picture becomes clear. Both teams will be judged not only on the result but also on how convincingly their new eras begin to take shape.

UEFA’s own preview of the 2026/27 competition places Italy vs France among the games to watch, confirming its status as one of the tournament’s headline ties. The fixture list separately confirms the September 28 date, making it one of the central appointments of the opening window. [1][2]

What to watch for in Italy vs France

  • France’s response to a new era: Zidane’s side will be looking to follow its 1-0 win over Türkiye with another strong competitive performance. [3]
  • Italy’s direction under Van Bommel: The match offers an immediate opportunity to assess the early identity of the Azzurri under their new coach.
  • The value of a strong start: With the fixture arriving early in the league phase, points against a direct heavyweight could prove important as the group develops.
  • The tactical contest: Matches between Italy and France traditionally invite close attention to structure, control and how each side manages pressure in key moments.

Italy vs France is consequently one of the must-watch fixtures of the September international programme. France have already opened with a victory under Zidane, while Italy face a major examination at the start of Van Bommel’s tenure. With UEFA listing the game among the competition’s standout encounters, the September 28 meeting promises to be an early landmark in the 2026/27 Nations League. [2][3]