Why Inacio remains eligible for Brazil despite a possible Italy appearance

Samuele Inacio is in Italy’s 23-man squad list for tonight’s game against Turkiye, and if he features, he will move a step closer to tying his international future to the Azzurri rather than Brazil.

Borussia Dortmund talent has been included in Italy’s matchday squad for tonight’s Nations League game against Turkiye.

FIFA rules for switching national teams: what happens with Italy and Inacio?

The 18-year-old, son of former Serie A striker Inacio Pia, holds a double Italian-Brazilian passport and already made his senior Italy debut in a friendly against Luxembourg this past June, under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini.

However, because the appearance came in a non-competitive match, it does not tie him to Italy for international eligibility.

The same would apply if Inacio features against Turkiye tonight, although another appearance for the Azzurri could make a future switch to Brazil increasingly unlikely.

Under FIFA rules introduced in 2020, players can switch national teams after three years without international action, provided they made no more than three senior competitive appearances before turning 21 and did not feature at a World Cup or a major continental tournament, such as the Euros.

In practical terms, if Inacio features against Turkiye tonight, it would be his first competitive appearance for Italy at senior level. That would prevent him from representing Brazil for the next three years, although FIFA rules would still leave the door open to a future switch, provided he makes no more than three competitive appearances before turning 21.

A product of the Atalanta academy, Inacio was born in Bergamo, Italy, on April 2, 2008, and he has already represented Italy at the youth level.