THE stunning elimination of Italy national football team from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has deepened what many are now calling a full-blown footballing crisis for one of the sport’s most decorated nations.
In a dramatic playoff final decided by penalties, Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team triumphed to secure a historic place at the global tournament, while Italy’s absence from the World Cup will now extend to three consecutive editions, an unthinkable reality for a four-time champion.
For Italy, this latest failure adds to a growing list of painful exits. After the shock defeat to North Macedonia in the 2022 qualifiers and a two-legged loss to Sweden in 2017, the Azzurri have once again fallen short—this time in agonising fashion.
Despite taking an early lead through Moise Kean, Italy failed to maintain control of the match, allowing a determined Bosnian side to dictate proceedings for large stretches of the game.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at Stadion Bilino Polje, Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered a fearless and energetic performance that belied the high stakes of the encounter.
Led by head coach Sergej Barbarez, the hosts showed remarkable composure after conceding early, continuing to press forward and create opportunities.
Statistically dominant, Bosnia outshot Italy significantly even before the turning point of the match—a red card shown to Alessandro Bastoni just before halftime for denying a clear scoring opportunity.
With Italy reduced to ten men, Bosnia intensified their pressure, eventually finding a deserved equaliser in the 79th minute through Haris Tabaković.
Italy had opportunities to put the game beyond reach, most notably when Kean intercepted a pass and surged clear on goal, only to fire over the bar with the goalkeeper advancing.
That miss proved costly, as Bosnia continued to push forward with relentless energy, testing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma repeatedly.
After a tense and cautious extra-time period, the match was ultimately decided from the penalty spot.
Bosnia displayed clinical composure, converting all four of their penalties, while Italy faltered under pressure. Misses from Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante sealed their fate.
As Bosnia erupted in celebration, Italy were left to grapple with yet another crushing disappointment.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the victory represents one of the greatest moments in the nation’s football history. Their journey to qualification, including back-to-back shootout wins, underscores a team built on resilience, unity, and belief.
Players and fans alike celebrated wildly at the final whistle, marking a long-awaited return to the world’s biggest football stage.
For Italy, however, the implications are profound. Once a dominant force in global football, the Azzurri now face serious questions about their structure, player development, and ability to compete at the highest level.
The absence from three consecutive World Cups is unprecedented in the nation’s modern football history and signals a dramatic fall from grace.