Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The unthinkable has happened again. Italy, the 1982 and 2006 FIFA World Cup champions, will not be participating in the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A 4-1 defeat in a penalty shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, following a 1-1 draw, sealed their fate, marking the third consecutive World Cup the Azzurri will miss. The result has plunged Italian football into a crisis, prompting questions about the future of the national team and its leadership.
The scenes in Zenica were stark. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, widely considered one of the world’s best in his position, sank to his knees in despair after the final penalty was missed. At 27 years old, Donnarumma has yet to appear in a World Cup, and the prospect of that changing anytime soon appears increasingly remote. The match, played before a crowd of 9,500 – a figure smaller than many stadiums in lower German leagues, according to reports – underscored the magnitude of the failure.
Despite taking the lead through a goal by Moise Kean, Italy faltered after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off. Bosnia and Herzegovina equalized, forcing the match into extra time and a penalty shootout. Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante both missed their spot-kicks, handing Bosnia and Herzegovina a dramatic victory.
In the immediate aftermath of the defeat, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina moved quickly to address the situation. He announced that he has asked national team coach Gennaro Gattuso to remain in his position, despite the devastating outcome. Gravina also requested that Gianluigi Buffon, who holds a role overseeing the senior and youth national teams within the FIGC, continue in his current capacity.
“I’ve asked him to stay and asked (Gianluigi) Buffon to stay in charge of the football side,” Gravina told reporters, as reported by Flashscore.com. The decision to retain Gattuso, who was appointed in June 2025, comes as a surprise to some, given the weight of the failure to qualify. Gattuso’s contract was set to expire after the World Cup.
Still, Gattuso himself appeared ambivalent about remaining in the role. He reportedly told Italian broadcaster RAI that whether he would accept Gravina’s invitation “wasn’t important,” stating that “the defeat hurts too much.” This suggests a deep sense of disappointment and perhaps a questioning of his own ability to turn the team’s fortunes around.
The presence of experienced figures like Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner as a player, and Buffon, a legendary goalkeeper himself, within the national team setup highlights the desperation to find a solution. Leonardo Bonucci, another member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad, served as a co-trainer, further emphasizing the reliance on past glories in an attempt to navigate the present crisis.
The situation extends beyond the pitch. Gravina also stated that his own position as head of the FIGC would be discussed at a board meeting next week, acknowledging the pressure he is under following the qualification failure. The lack of World Cup appearances is not just a sporting disappointment; it also has significant financial implications for the Italian Football Federation.
Italy’s failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups – 2018, 2022, and now 2026 – is unprecedented for a nation with such a rich footballing history. The Azzurri were the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament. This latest setback raises serious questions about the state of Italian football, from youth development to tactical approaches and the overall competitiveness of the domestic league.
While the immediate focus is on the fallout from the failed qualification campaign, the long-term implications for Italian football are significant. The FIGC will need to undertake a thorough review of its strategies and invest in developing the next generation of players if it hopes to restore Italy to its former glory. For now, however, the mood is one of despair and uncertainty.
The next steps for the Italian national team remain unclear. With a board meeting scheduled to discuss Gravina’s future, and Gattuso’s own position uncertain, the Azzurri face a period of significant upheaval. The focus will undoubtedly shift towards rebuilding and preparing for future challenges, but the pain of missing out on the 2026 World Cup will linger for some time.
Fans can follow updates on the Italian national team and the FIGC’s decisions on the official FIGC website. Further announcements regarding the coaching staff and future plans are expected in the coming weeks.
