The head coach of the Italian national volleyball team Ferdinando De Giorgi announced the extended list of 37 players who will prepare for the participation of "Squadra Azzurra" in the Volleyball Nations League 2026. This happened during the official press conference for the season presentation.
The final list of 30 players who will be registered for the tournament will be published on May 20.
Alessandro Michieletto was also included in the extended squad, although De Giorgi initially announced that he would start the season without him due to his back problems. This suggests that the receiver's condition is improving and he may be gradually included in the preparations.

Setters

• Simone Giannelli - Perugia

• Riccardo Sbertoli - Trentino

• Paolo Porro - Piacenza

• Mattia Boninfante (teammate of Aleksandar Nikolov at Lube)

• Alessandro Fanizza - Cisterna

• Bryan Argilagos - Perugia (19 years old)

Liberos

• Fabio Balaso - Lube

• Domenico Pace - Piacenza

• Gabriele Laurenzano - Trentino

• Matteo Staforini - Verona

• Damiano Catania - Milano

• Luca Loreti - Piacenza

Opposites

• Yuri Romano - Fakel Yamal (Russia)

• Kamil Rychlicki - ZAKSA (Poland)

• Alessandro Bovolenta - Piacenza

• Tommaso Guzzo - Cisterna

• Diego Frascio (teammate of Zhasmin Velichkov in Monza)

Outside Hitters

• Alessandro Michieletto - Trentino

• Luca Porro - Modena

• Mattia Bottolo (teammate of Aleksandar Nikolov in Lube)

• Francesco Sani - Verona

• Daniele Lavia - Trentino

• Mattia Orioli - Padova

• Tommaso Rinaldi - Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers (Japan)

• Giulio Magalini - Grottazzolina

• Davide Gardini - Padova

• Tommaso Ichino - Milano

Middle Blockers

• Roberto Russo - Perugia

• Giovanni Gargiulo (teammate of Aleksandar Nikolov in Lube)

• Giovanni Sanguinetti - Modena

• Pardo Mati - Modena (19 years old)

• Francesco Comparoni - Piacenza

• Gianluca Galassi - Piacenza

• Lorenzo Cortesia - Verona

• Leandro Mosca (teammate of Zhasmin Velichkov in Monza)

• Andrea Truocchio - Padua

• Marco Pellacani - Grottazzolina
  
  

  

De Giorgi relies on squad depth, combining key figures and young players across all positions. The most significant competition is expected among the outside hitters/receivers, where Italy has depth and various options in attack and reception.