France will host Italy in a UEFA Nations League match on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 2:45 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on FS1, which can be streamed for free via DIRECTV's trial offer.
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Both teams are vying for a top position in their tightly contested group. France boasts a dynamic offense led by Kylian Mbappé, who has had a prolific club season. Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise have also contributed significantly to the attack, with the team averaging over two goals per match in competitive fixtures and losing just once in recent Nations League games.
Conversely, Italy, coached by Luciano Spalletti, emphasizes a disciplined defense, conceding fewer than a goal per game in their recent matches. Midfielder Nicolò Barella is crucial to Italy's strategy, while striker Giacomo Raspadori has developed into a reliable scoring option.
Recent encounters between the two nations underline a competitive rivalry; the last meeting in Paris saw France win 3-1, followed by Italy's own 3-1 victory in the subsequent return match. The outcome of today's game may hinge on how well France can exploit their pace against Italy's compact defense.