Not just Italy vs. Belgium. Many initiatives will be taking place ahead of the match scheduled for tomorrow at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, ready to colour itself blue in the hope of reliving another Notte Magica in the memory of Italia ‘90 and the matches of the EURO 2020 group stage. The Capital has been called upon again for National team games: 35,000 tickets have been sold so far for the clash with the Red Devils, a match focused on inclusion and sustainability.

FAIR SUPPORT. There will also be 3,000 children in the stands, who are from local teams from the Lazio Region, who have accepted the invitation extended to them on behalf of the Youth and School sector of the FIGC in collaboration with the Federcalcio Srl. Coaches and parents of the young players will accompany them to the match, as the Youth Sector is promoting an educational project for fair support, sharing and sustaining virtuous behaviours.

QUIET ROOM. Thanks to support from Sport and Salute, an option will be offered, for the first time in the history of the national side, to children with autism so that they can attend the match and watch from a ‘Quiet Room’ dedicated through the Monte Mario Tribune. A protected and welcoming environment - which has already been used in the Coppa Italia final as well as for concerts and other events like the European Athletics Championships - in which younger fans, protagonists for the Youth Sector and School project of the FIGC ‘Integrated Football’, will be able to follow the match in total security whilst living the experience enthusiastically. 

VISUALLY IMPAIRED FANS. Following on from the recent matches played by the National side in Italy, an audio-description service for visually impaired fans will also be in place for the match against Belgium, thanks to a partnership with CMT - Connect me too who have made the serve available. Tomorrow, 20 or so visually impaired fans from the sporting association led by water ski champion Daniele Cassioli will be at the match, as well as with their respective guardians and will be able to follow the Azzurri match thanks to a broadcast available and accessible through their own smartphones. 

PREVENTION CARAVAN. The Prevention Caravan has reached the Capital, honouring the partnership between the FIGC and Komen Italia which has been in place for years. Today and tomorrow, from 10-17 CEST, mobile units will be in Parco del Foro Italico (via del Giavellotto) and will be accepting free visits and giving diagnostic exams for the prevention of breast tumours and gynaecological tumours, as well as nutritional consultations and pharmaceutical services such as blood pressure measurements and glycemia measurements. With support from the Gruppo Donatori Sangue ‘Francesco Olgiati OD’ and from Avis from Rome, it will be possible to donate blood. In the area dedicated to FIGC and Komen Italia, trophies won by the National team will be on display, including the 1982 and 2006 World Cup’s and the 2021 European Championship, alongside the National team mascots Oscar and Azzurra.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AT THE STADIO OLIMPICO. Among the actions dedicated towards sustainability for Italy vs. Belgium at Stadio Olimpico, there are some initiatives dedicated to environmental sustainability in the hospitality area, particularly in relation to sustainable Catering. In detail, following the original actions, after the first test, there will be a definitive list that all stadiums will need to follow when hosting Azzurri matches in Italy. 

• Plastic elimination: use of biodegradable cups for coffee, selection of glass bottles and glasses. Use of single use biodegradable materials. 
• Biological products and km 0: reduction of the environmental impact of public transport. Menù is based on seasonal fruits and vegetables and reduced consumption of red meat, including options for vegans, vegetarians and celiacs. 
• Sustainable management of waste and recycling: use of a waste compactor to reduce the impact of waste disposal. 
• Redistribution of food leftovers thanks to support from ACLI of Rome: to fight the waste of food, the leftover food will be donated to local groups.  

In terms of the social sustainability, the employment inclusion of disabled people is planned: to show the value of the social impact of the match, a collaboration with ‘La Locanda dei Girasoli’ from Rome will be brought forward for the involvement of people in difficult situations, meaning that they will be able to work in Hospitality services.

CAMPAIGN #SHARETHEMEAL. Ahead of the World Food Day (16 October), the FIGC is putting forward the project #ShareTheMeal from the World Food Programme (WFP), the main humanitarian organisation and agency from the United Nations, in charge of saving and improving lives, using food assistance in emergencies. For the Italy vs. Belgium match, the federation will support the #ShareTheMeal campaign through activities which will raise awareness and promote the campaign ‘A world without hunger’.

COLLABORATION PACT. A few hours before the Italy vs. Belgium match, a Pact of Collaboration between the Youth and School section of the FIGC and 60 clubs belonging to the 7 developmental areas of Lazio will be held in the Conference Room of Stadio Olimpico. In addition, there will be activities for the Evolution Programme which involves around 800 societies in all of Italy. Through the Collaboration Pact, the clubs will be involved in sharing respective activities and training initiations with the FIGC. Vito Tisci, president of the Youth and School sector of the FIGC and Pietro Martella, coordinator of the Federal Regional SGS Lazio will be in attendance.