Norwegian referee Espen Eskas will take charge of Italy’s decisive Nations League group-stage match against Belgium in Brussels on Sunday evening.
Italy moved to the top of the group with a 3-1 win over France at San Siro on Thursday, leaving them with 10 points from five matches. France also have 10 points but trail on goal difference and head-to-head record, while Belgium are third on nine points. Turkey remain bottom without a point.
The Azzurri need only a draw in Brussels to secure qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals. That result could also be enough to send Italy through as group winners, although they would need Turkey to take points from their meeting with France.
A victory against Belgium would guarantee Italy first place in the group, regardless of the outcome of the other fixture.
Eskas will be assisted by fellow Norwegians Jan Erik Engan and Alf Olav Rossland. Sigur Kringstad, also from Norway, has been appointed as the fourth official.
Germany’s Christian Dingert will oversee the video assistant referee system, with Norwegian official Kristoffer Hagenes acting as his assistant.
Sunday’s appointment will be Eskas’s second time refereeing a meeting between Italy and Belgium. His previous match between the sides ended in a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in October 2024, during the Nations League group stage under Luciano Spalletti.
Italy appeared to be in control of that match after Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui gave them a two-goal lead. Belgium fought back to level before the final whistle, after Italy captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off following a VAR review.
Pellegrini’s initial yellow card for a foul on Arthur Theate was upgraded to a red card after the incident was reviewed.
