Italy Misses Out on World Cup Again After Penalty Shootout Loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina

ZENICA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – For the third consecutive World Cup cycle, Italy will not be participating in the tournament, falling in a heartbreaking penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. The Azzurri, despite a promising start with a goal from Moise Kean, were unable to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, continuing a stunning downturn for the four-time champions.

The match, played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, saw Italy grab the lead in the 15th minute through Kean’s well-taken finish. The goal, a first-time strike following a turnover forced by Mateo Retegui, initially set the visitors in a strong position. Kean’s strike as well marked a notable achievement for the Fiorentina forward, equaling an Italy national team record by scoring in six consecutive appearances – a feat previously accomplished by Adolfo Balonceri (1928), Gigi Riva (1969), and Roberto Bettega (1977). He has now netted eight times in his last six outings for the national team.

However, Italy’s hopes were severely hampered before halftime with a red card to Alessandro Bastoni. The dismissal shifted the momentum, allowing Bosnia and Herzegovina to grow into the game. The hosts capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Amer Gojak finding the equalizer in the 80th minute through a header from a corner. The score remained level through the remainder of regulation and extra time, sending the match to a tense penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Bosnia and Herzegovina proved flawless, converting all their spot-kicks. Italy faltered with misses from Pio Esposito and Cristante, handing Bosnia and Herzegovina a 5-4 victory and a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina had previously eliminated Wales in a penalty shootout, demonstrating their composure in high-pressure situations.

This marks the third straight World Cup that Italy will be absent from, an unprecedented run for a nation with such a rich footballing history. Italy previously won the World Cup in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006, and were European Champions in 2012. Their last World Cup appearance was in Brazil in 2014, where they were eliminated in the group stage. This latest failure will undoubtedly spark intense scrutiny and questions about the future of Italian football.

The match was also notable for Edin Dzeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s star striker, who was forced off with an injury. Dzeko, who played in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever World Cup in 2014, remains a key figure for the national team.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, who took charge of the team a year ago, expressed his disappointment after the match. “We had three occasions to score, it’s a pity, this is football,” he said. “I am proud of my boys, it hurts since this World Cup was key for us, for the families, for all of Italy… A tough blow for everyone, I apologize.”

The defeat continues a turbulent period for Italian football. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing a playoff to Sweden, and then missed out on the 2022 tournament following a shocking playoff defeat to North Macedonia. This latest setback raises serious questions about the state of the national team and the need for significant changes.

Elsewhere in World Cup qualifying action, Poland, led by Robert Lewandowski, also failed to secure their place in the tournament, losing 3-2 to Sweden. Turkey defeated Kosovo, securing their spot, and the Czech Republic overcame Denmark in a penalty shootout.

With these results, the field of European teams heading to the 2026 World Cup is now complete. The Czech Republic will join Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in Group A, while Turkey will compete against Paraguay, the United States, and Australia in Group B. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. Sweden will face the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in their group.

The remaining international playoff spots will be determined by the upcoming matches between Jamaica and Congo, and Iraq and Bolivia. The winners of those ties will complete the World Cup lineup.

Italy’s next steps remain uncertain. The focus will now shift to rebuilding the team and preparing for future competitions, but the absence from another World Cup will be a painful reminder of their recent struggles.

The Azzurri’s failure to qualify serves as a stark warning that even footballing giants are not immune to periods of decline. The road back to the World Cup stage will be long and arduous, but Italy will need to address fundamental issues if they are to reclaim their place among the world’s elite.

What’s Next: Italy will now begin preparations for their next international fixtures, with a focus on rebuilding and qualifying for future tournaments. The team’s schedule will be announced by the Italian Football Federation in the coming weeks.

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