Thursday, April 2, 2026 - Four-time world champions, Italy, have failed to qualify for
a third World Cup in a row after their shock defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Italy fell on penalties to Bosnia & Herzegovina in their
UEFA World Cup playoff final after a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.
Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their spot-kicks in
the shootout after Gennaro Gattuso's 10 men had held on to take the game to
penalties.
Bosnia-Herzegovina will be at the World Cup for the second
time and will face Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B this summer.
“We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it
happened in this manner,” Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola said.
“It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and
for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
Italy's third straight World Cup qualifying disaster means they will go at least 16 years without an appearance at the FIFA championship, last coming in 2014.
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