Italy confirm 18-player women’s squad for Mediterranean Games in Taranto

The Italian Football Federation has confirmed the 18-player squad that will represent Italy’s Under-19 women’s team at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026. The Azzurrine, coached by Priscilla del Prete, open the tournament against Slovenia on 23 August at Francavilla Fontana and then face Kosovo on 27 August at the Stadio Iacovone in Taranto.

The announcement lands less than a month before the start of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games, which Italy is hosting for the fourth time after Naples 1963, Bari 1997 and Pescara 2009. The women’s football event gives the Under-19 age group a rare chance to compete for international honours.

Tournament format and Italy’s group

Six teams are split into two groups of three for the women’s football competition. Italy are in Group B alongside Slovenia and Kosovo, while Group A contains Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The top two sides from each group advance to the semifinals on 29 August at Brindisi, with the bronze medal match scheduled for 31 August at 10:30 in Brindisi and the gold medal final at 19:00 in Taranto.

For the Azzurrine, the group stage offers a direct route to the knockout rounds, but the format leaves little margin for error. Each of the three group matches carries weight because only the group winners and runners-up progress.

The 18-player squad

Del Prete has built her squad around a core of Serie A clubs, with Juventus and Roma contributing four players each and Fiorentina supplying three.

Goalkeepers: Alice Agostini (Fiorentina), Flavia Pezzi (Roma).

Defenders: Rachele Andreangeli (Juventus), Viola Cacace (Roma), Mya Ciccarelli (Parma), Chiara Grassi (Roma), Anna Messa (Juventus), Viola Peri (Fiorentina), Daria Rosso (Juventus).

Midfielders: Giorgia Galluzzi (Milan), Giulia Guerzoni (Sassuolo), Beatrice Martone (Anderlecht), Sophie Miraldi (Fiorentina), Matilde Oddina (Juventus), Miranda Sterner (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Elisa Ciurleo (Inter), Agata Pinchi (Roma), Viola Saccomandi (Milan).

Two players are based outside Italy: Martone at Anderlecht and Sterner at Real Madrid. The mix gives the coaching staff options across the pitch, with three recognised forwards and a deep midfield unit.

Preparation and opening ceremony

The squad gathers in Rome at the Centro di Preparazione Olimpica “Giulio Onesti” on 18 August, then travels to Taranto on the morning of 21 August. That evening the opening ceremony takes place at the Stadio Iacovone from 20:00, with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expected in attendance. Sprinter Filippo Tortu and boxer Irma Testa carry the Italian flag, and Team Italia includes 498 athletes across all disciplines.

The ceremony means the Azzurrine will be part of the Games from the opening night, giving the squad a full two-day window in Apulia before their first match.

Full group-stage schedule

Italy’s route through the group is clearly defined:

The staggered format means Italy will know Slovenia’s result against Kosovo before their own final group game. Del Prete’s staff will also be tracking Group A, where Spain, Portugal and Morocco shape the likely semifinal opponents.

Why this matters for the Azzurrine

Italy’s record at the Mediterranean Games is one of the strongest of any participating nation. The country has finished top of the overall medal table 14 times in 19 editions, and at Oran 2022 the Italian delegation collected 159 medals, including 48 gold. For the Under-19 women’s side, this tournament is also a competitive benchmark: with age-group qualifying cycles constantly shifting, the Games offer meaningful match minutes against international opposition.

A podium finish would extend Italy’s footballing success at the event and give this group of players tournament experience that is difficult to replicate in friendlies. The opening fixture against Slovenia on 23 August is the first test of whether the squad can turn its club depth into a medal run.

Broadcast and ticketing details were not included in the federation’s announcement, so fans should follow FIGC and the Taranto 2026 organisers for matchday updates.

Source: FIGC (Italian Football Federation) — https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/giochi-del-mediterraneo-ufficiale-la-lista-delle-18-azzurrine-il-23-agosto-lesordio-inseguendo-una-medaglia-f6nwjq1x