# Esposito Brothers Become Italy’s First Starting Siblings Since 1915

- Topic: football
- Source: [Football Italia](https://football-italia.net/esposito-brothers-make-history-for-italy-first/)
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Original: https://football-italia.net/esposito-brothers-make-history-for-italy-first/
- Language: en
- Image: https://icdn.football-italia.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Pio-Esposito-Nathan-Ngoy-414x276.jpg

## At a glance

- Sebastiano and Pio Esposito start for Italy, first siblings to do so since 1915
- Roberto Mancini’s eight‑man overhaul follows a 2‑0 Nations League loss to Belgium
- The match was held at Bursa’s Ataturk Spor Komplexi, 19.45 UK time
- Salvatore Esposito, the eldest brother, debuted for Italy in 2022 and plays for Sampdoria

## Sources

- [Football Italia](https://football-italia.net/esposito-brothers-make-history-for-italy-first/)

## The story

Sebastiano Esposito joined his younger brother Pio in Italy’s starting XI, marking the first time two brothers have started for the Azzurri since 1915. The match, a UEFA Nations League group‑stage game against Belgium, took place at the Ataturk Spor Komplexi in Bursa and was broadcast at 19.45 UK time. Coach Roberto Mancini made eight changes from the previous 2‑0 loss to Belgium, creating a lineup that included the Esposito siblings. Pio, 21, had already earned a cap earlier in the season, while Sebastiano, 24, made his debut for Sassuolo and the national team. The trio also includes Salvatore Esposito, who debuted for Italy in 2022 and now plays for Sampdoria in Serie B. This historic family achievement is unprecedented in Italian football history, as no other set of three brothers has simultaneously represented Italy at senior level.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. [Read the original source](https://football-italia.net/esposito-brothers-make-history-for-italy-first/)