Davis Cup: Italy’s five names for Bologna, with changes still possible
Musetti, Cobolli, Darderi, Bolelli and Vavassori appear on the 26 October list. Berrettini is absent, but replacements are allowed until 23 November. Final 8 dates, opponents and coverage.
Some shirts carry more than others: a name, the hopes of people watching at home, children cheering at their tennis club, embraces after a point that seemed lost. Italy’s Davis Cup shirt is one of them. Now we know who has been called up to wear it in Bologna. This is the initial list of 26 October; replacements are still permitted.
Filippo Volandri has selected Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Matteo Berrettini is absent from the announced finals squad. His absence will be felt by supporters who remember his contribution to the 2025 triumph. Italy will chase a fourth consecutive title, one tie at a time.
Musetti: finding confidence can change the colour of your day
For Lorenzo Musetti, this call comes at a special moment. On 25 October he won the Lyon tournament, beating Taylor Fritz 6–3, 6–4 in the final. It was his third ATP title, following Hamburg and Naples in 2022. Four years can feel very long when everyone is waiting for a trophy and you must keep working on the days it does not arrive.
His tennis has a familiar beauty: that one-handed backhand, the inventive angles, the changes of pace. But something less visible matters too: showing up again, trying again, bringing confidence and execution back together. One win cannot solve everything; it can remind you that quiet work still has a voice.
He will bring that possibility to Bologna. Selection makes his talent available to the captain; the line-ups for each tie will determine who actually plays.
Cobolli and a memory that still gives us goosebumps
Mention Flavio Cobolli and the Davis Cup, and thoughts turn to the 2025 final against Spain. His victory over Jaume Munar, following Berrettini’s win over Pablo Carreño Busta, sealed a 2–0 result and Italy’s third consecutive trophy.
Those images explain why people fall in love with sport. You do not need every rule to recognise the moment tension melts and everyone seeks someone to embrace. Starting again as champions also means preserving that joy without asking the past to win future matches.
Cobolli’s new selection brings memory and responsibility together. That day remains wonderful. In November there will be new points to build.
Darderi, Bolelli and Vavassori: a team needs all its options
Luciano Darderi completes the singles group, while Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori are the doubles specialists selected by Volandri. Five names give the captain different possibilities.
For followers of individual tournaments, Davis Cup changes the perspective. Final 8 ties comprise two singles matches and a doubles match, with points won for a nation. When doubles becomes decisive, it relies on a distinctive trust: choosing together, covering the court and understanding one another in an instant.
That helps give this competition its special flavour. Individual talent must find a place within a shared story. Spectators watch the player hitting the ball, but a team also lives through those who prepare, encourage and wait to be called.
Berrettini left out: respect comes before judgement
Matteo’s absence is the most striking news. His contribution to the victorious 2025 final makes supporters’ surprise understandable. Being left out of this list does not erase what he has given Italy.
FITP says up to three players from the 26 October nomination may be replaced, with changes due by 11:00 Italian time on Monday 23 November. In the statement, Volandri explains that the intervening weeks will be used to assess fitness and availability; he includes Berrettini, Arnaldi and Sonego in the wider group available. Absence from the initial list is therefore not a final exclusion.
We can feel disappointed and still support those selected. We can remain fond of Matteo without turning the others into opponents. Perhaps that is the loveliest way to cheer: making room for emotion while keeping respect in place.
Bologna: dates for your diary
The Final 8 takes place at BolognaFiere Arena from 24 to 29 November 2026. Italy opens against South Korea on Wednesday 25 November at 16:00 Italian time. Victory would mean a semi-final on 27 November against the winner of Czechia–Canada. The final is scheduled for Sunday 29 November at 15:00. Times remain subject to changes by the organisers.
The other half of the draw features Great Britain–Germany and Austria–Spain. The draw lets us imagine possible meetings; the court must still decide them.
FITP says all matches will be free to watch in Italy on SuperTennis and SuperTennis Plus. If Italy qualifies, its semi-final and final will also be shown on Rai 1. For attendance, use the official ticket office.
A video to remember where we are starting from
Below are the official highlights of Cobolli–Munar, the Davis Cup final played on 23 November 2025, published by the ITF’s World Tennis channel. These are images from last year’s event, recalling the title while we await new matches.
Watch on the official World Tennis channel
The lovely part? We can share the dream
Three consecutive titles already make a wonderful story. Chasing another means accepting a fresh challenge, with all the uncertainty that makes sport so alive.
At CHIARA!, we also love this reminder from Davis Cup: nobody builds everything alone. Some play, some accompany, some encourage. Italy is ready to make itself heard. Bologna is next. Bring your support and make room for emotion. 💙
Correction, 2 November 2026: the first version reported Berrettini’s absence without explaining that the 26 October list can change. We have added the replacement deadline and the context supplied by FITP’s statement.
Source: World Tennis / ITF ↗
