Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Baghdad, Iraq – In a stunning turn of events, Iraq secured the final spot in the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, while Italy crashed out for the third consecutive time, falling in a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Azzurri’s failure to qualify continues a period of unprecedented difficulty for the four-time World Cup champions, prompting widespread dismay and soul-searching within Italian football.
The qualification drama unfolded across Europe and South America, with Türkiye, Czechia, and Sweden also booking their places in the tournament. The expanded format, debuting in 2026 with co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, promised more opportunities for nations to compete on the world stage, but it couldn’t prevent a historic low for Italian football. Italy’s elimination marks the first time they’ve missed three consecutive World Cups, a stark contrast to their storied past.
Italy’s Agony: A Third Straight World Cup Missed
The match in Zenica was a tense affair from the start. Moise Kean gave Italy the lead after 15 minutes, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nikola Vasilj. However, Italy’s hopes were dealt a blow when Alessandro Bastoni received a red card in the 41st minute, forcing them to play with ten men for the majority of the match. Bosnia and Herzegovina relentlessly pressed for an equalizer, registering 30 shots and 11 on target, finally finding the back of the net through Haris Tabaković in the 79th minute.
After a scoreless extra time, the match went to penalties. Italy faltered, missing two attempts, while Bosnia and Herzegovina converted all four of their kicks, sending the home crowd into raptures. The scenes in Zenica were a stark contrast to the despair felt across Italy, where media outlets described the situation as a “disaster” and a “historic low.”
Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso offered his apologies following the defeat. Reports from Nieuwsblad indicate the Italian media is in a state of shock, with many questioning the future of Italian football. The failure to qualify with a 48-team tournament format has been described as “outright humiliating.”
Iraq’s Triumph: A Return to the World Stage
While Italy’s campaign ended in heartbreak, Iraq celebrated a momentous occasion. They topped Bolivia in their playoff, securing their first World Cup berth in 40 years. The victory sparked celebrations across Iraq, marking a significant moment for the nation and its football fans. Details of the match against Bolivia were not immediately available, but the result confirms Iraq’s place among the 48 nations competing in the 2026 tournament.
Other Qualifying Results
Tuesday’s matches also saw Türkiye return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, defeating Kosovo 1-0, with Kerem Aktürkoğlu scoring the decisive goal. Türkiye will join the United States, Paraguay, and Australia in Group D. Sweden also secured their spot, defeating Poland 3-2 thanks to a late winner from Viktor Gyökeres, and will compete in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. Czechia qualified for the first time since 2006, overcoming Denmark in a penalty shootout.
The Field is Set: A Glance at the Qualified Teams
With the completion of the playoffs, the 48 teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now known. The confirmed list includes:
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Canada (co-host)
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Czech Republic
- DR Congo
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- England
- France
- Germany
- Ghana
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Jordan
- Mexico (co-host)
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Senegal
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United States (co-host)
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
What’s Next?
The focus now shifts to the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will determine the group stage matchups. The draw is expected to take place in the coming months, with anticipation building for the tournament’s kickoff in June 2026. For Italy, the immediate future involves a period of rebuilding and reflection, as they attempt to restore their status as a global football powerhouse. The Azzurri will need to address fundamental issues within their system to avoid a repeat of this historic failure.
The expanded World Cup format promises a more inclusive and competitive tournament, and the inclusion of teams like Iraq adds a new dimension to the global football landscape. Fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the start of the competition, which is poised to be the biggest and most diverse World Cup in history.
Archysport will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the draw, team previews, and match updates.
