When Italy host Belgium on Friday to open their UEFA Nations League campaign, both sides will begin a new Nations League cycle under new head coaches.

Following the major international tournaments earlier in the year, both coaching staffs have an opportunity to assess younger players alongside established internationals.

With established players still central to both squads, the fixture also provides an opportunity for emerging players to gain senior international experience.

Striver.Football profiles six young players to watch, their latest statistics and why they could be important to the fixture.

Italy Young Players to Watch

Samuele Inacio (18)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 1 Bundesliga appearance | 1 DFB-Pokal appearance | 2 DFB-Pokal goals

Why Watch Him: The 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder is one of the most highly regarded young talents in Italian football.

Samuele Inacio combines the creativity associated with his Brazilian footballing background with the tactical education he has received in Italy and Germany.

Capable of drifting seamlessly out wide or dropping between defensive lines as a secondary playmaker, his sharp turn-of-pace on the half-turn will test Belgium's structural discipline. 

Pio Esposito (21)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 5 Serie A appearances | 2 goals | 1 assist

Why Watch Him: Standing as a towering physical presence, the 21-year-old Inter forward offers the Azzurri a traditional focal point in attack.

Pio Esposito is clinical inside the box and plays with his back to goal to bring advanced midfielders into play. 

Against Belgium, Esposito's physical presence and ability to run the channels could give Italy another option in attack.

Honest Ahanor (18)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 1 Premier League appearance | 1 Europa League appearance | 180 Premier League/League Cup minutes

Why Watch Him: The 18-year-old defender has made a rapid rise into Italy's senior squad since moving to Crystal Palace.

Ahanor is a physical powerhouse on the flank, pairing standard 1-v-1 defensive tracking with explosive overlapping bursts.

His athleticism could give Italy another defensive option against Belgium's pace in wide areas.

Belgium Young Players to Watch

Malick Fofana (21)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 3 Premier League appearances | 60 minutes | 0 goals | 0 assists

Why Watch Him: Operating as an explosive wide player, the 21-year-old winger has continued his development after moving to Sunderland.

Fofana thrives on unpredictable dribbling cadences, utilizing a low center of gravity to unbalance defenders on the touchline. With Belgium looking to strike aggressively on the counter, Fofana's direct nature and blistering speed will keep Italy's advanced fullbacks pinned deep.

Mika Godts (21)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 5 Ligue 1 appearances | 117 minutes | 0 goals | 1 assist

Why Watch Him: The highly rated wide player offers Belgium another creative option in attack.

Godts possesses exquisite close control and an innate ability to slice inside into half-spaces to unleash dangerous efforts on goal. 

If Italy allow him space around the edge of the final third, his close control and vision could create opportunities for Belgium.

Joaquin Seys (21)

Key 2026/27 Stats: 7 Belgian Pro League appearances | 3 assists | 1 Champions League appearance

Why Watch Him: The 21-year-old Club Brugge sensation has quickly established himself as a prominent figure in the national setup, and has already featured for Belgium at senior level.

Highly versatile, Joaquin Seys can anchor either full-back position, combining elite short-passing execution with disciplined spatial positioning.

After providing two assists against Genk, his deliveries from wide areas could provide another attacking outlet for Belgium.

What Young Players Can Learn From Italy vs Belgium

For aspiring academy prospects and youth coaches examining this fixture, several clear developmental pathways emerge:

Technical Versatility Across Borders: Samuele Inacio illustrates how young players can develop through different football environments while retaining their individual creativity.

Mastering the Focal Point: Pio Esposito demonstrates how a modern No. 9 can combine physical presence with the ability to drop deep, hold up play and link with advancing midfielders.

Exploitative Width and Discipline: Defenders like Honest Ahanor and Joaquin Seys show how modern wide players can combine defensive discipline with the ability to contribute in possession.