France and Italy battle for UEFA Nations League Group A1 quarter-final spot in Milan

France leads UEFA Nations League Group A1 with ten points from four matches, having won three and drawn one. Italy sits second with seven points from two wins, one draw, and one loss, while Belgium is third with six points and Turkey is last after losing all four games.

The two teams meet at San Siro in Milan on Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 20:45 local time, which is 02:45 WIB on Friday, 13 November. France can secure top spot with a draw, which would take them to eleven points and put them beyond Italy and Belgium for first place.

“France needs only a draw to secure top spot in Group A1.”

Italy must win to match France's points and keep its hopes of winning the group alive. Coach Roberto Mancini faces selection problems because several players are unavailable, including Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Belgium can still advance if it beats Turkey and Italy, or if it beats Turkey and draws with Italy depending on other results. The top two teams in each League A group qualify for the quarter-finals, which will be played in March 2027.

France will then face Turkey in its final group match. A French loss to Italy would require a win against Turkey, and two defeats could leave Zinedine Zidane's side in third place.

Italy could qualify by beating France and Belgium, or by beating France and drawing with Belgium. If Italy loses to France, it must beat Belgium and rely on other results to finish in the top two.