Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off final. The four-time champions, who missed out in 2018 and 2022, now face an uncertain future as a generation of players will never experience a World Cup.
Despite taking an early lead through Moise Kean, Italy were outplayed by a vibrant Bosnia side. Sergej Barbarez's team dominated possession and chances, but needed a 79th-minute equaliser from Haris Tabakovic to force extra time. After a cagey additional period, Bosnia held their nerve to win 4-0 on penalties.
Italy's night unravelled when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off just before half-time for a last-man foul. Manager Gennaro Gattuso admitted the result was 'difficult to digest', apologising for the nation's failure. 'They surprised me even today with the heart they showed,' he said, 'but we are talking about the umpteenth time we aren't going to the World Cup.'
Kean had a chance to seal victory in the 60th minute but fired high after intercepting a cross-field pass. That miss proved costly as Tabakovic pounced on a rebound from Edin Dzeko's attempt to level the tie. Bosnia, who had also beaten Wales on penalties five days earlier, fully deserved their place at the 2026 tournament.
The result marks another low point for Italian football, following the 'apocalypse' of 2018 and the North Macedonian shock in 2022. With three consecutive failures, questions will be asked about the direction of the national team.
