Giuseppe Signori has officially returned to Italian football as the head of delegation for the Italy Under 20 national team, appointed by FIGC commissioner Giovanni Malagò as reported by Corriere della Sera. The 58-year-old former striker, whose stellar 1990s career included 188 Serie A goals and a 1994 World Cup runner-up medal with Italy, steps into the role ahead of upcoming international fixtures in November 2026. In the 1990s, Beppe made defenses tremble with his lethal left foot, featuring bursts, dribbles, and numerous goals. He stood out at Zeman’s Foggia before achieving consecration at Lazio, where he won the top goalscorer ranking three times. In ’94, he was a World Cup runner-up with Sacchi’s national team, though he went down in history for refusing to play on the wing in the semifinal against Bulgaria, resulting in his exclusion from the Pasadena final.

Signori’s return marks a significant chapter for the former Lazio and Foggia star, following a decade-long legal battle that ended with criminal court acquittals after a 2011 arrest in Bologna during a betting investigation. Though the Italian Football Federation initially disbarred him, former president Gabriele Gravina granted him a pardon in 2021. Now, Malagò and Claudio Ranieri have brought him back into the federation fold following a decisive meeting in Bologna prior to an Italy-Turkey fixture, describing the move as a form of restitution.

Upcoming November Fixtures Against Portugal and Switzerland

The Italy Under 20 squad, managed by head coach Carmine Nunziata, prepares for two crucial fixtures in the Under 20 Elite League following their outing at the La Nucía International Tournament in Spain, according to FIGC official announcements and Sportmediaset reporting. The Azzurrini currently sit fifth in the single-group standings with three points and a minus-two goal difference, level with Switzerland. Italy will first face their Portuguese peers, who rank fourth with 3 points and a +2 goal difference.

Signori will make his official debut alongside Nunziata’s squad on Thursday, November 12, 2026, when Italy faces Portugal at 17:00 local time (CET) at the Stadio Euganeo in Padova. Four days later, on Monday, November 16, 2026, the team meets Switzerland at 15:00 local time (CET) at the Stadio delle Terme in Abano Terme.

Reuniting With Former Teammates in the Azzurri Locker Room

Within the Under 20 camp, Signori rejoins several familiar faces. He will work alongside head coach Carmine Nunziata, assistant coach Brighi, and goalkeeper coach Ferron, with whom he previously shared locker rooms during his career.

Returning to the Azzurro is a special emotion and a great source of pride, Signori told Corriere della Sera, noting with visible emotion that he intends to accompany the younger generation as they chase their major footballing dreams. At the same time, the publication observed that no gesture can fully erase the decade of hardship he endured before clearing his name in court.

Head-to-Head History Against Portugal and Switzerland

There have been 10 overall meetings between Italy and Portugal in this category, with a perfectly balanced record of four wins for each side and two draws, which include a 1-1 scoreline on October 12, 2021, and another 1-1 draw on October 14, 2024. The most recent encounter took place during the previous season on November 14, 2025, when the Azzurrini, also guided by Carmine Nunziata, were defeated 2-1 at the Stadio dei Pini ‘Torquato Bresciani’ in Viareggio. Against the Swiss, Italy holds a favorable head-to-head record across 27 total encounters, claiming 13 victories, 7 defeats, and 7 draws. The last clash occurred on September 27, 2022, when Nunziata’s boys secured a clear 3-0 victory at the Stadio Comunale ‘Franco Ossola’ in Varese.