Italy’s dramatic fall from global dominance reached another painful chapter as the four-time world champion failed to secure a place at the World Cup for the third consecutive time. The Azzurri were eliminated after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team ranked 66th, in the European playoffs.
The match initially appeared to be under control for Italy when Moise Kean found the net early. However, the momentum shifted before the break when defender Alessandro Bastoni was dismissed with a straight red card, leaving his side at a disadvantage.
Bosnia capitalized late in the game, with substitute Haris Tabakovic scoring in the 79th minute to level the score at 1-1 and force extra time. The contest ultimately went to penalties, where Bosnia prevailed 4-1, sealing a historic qualification for their first World Cup appearance since 2014.
Missed chances and emotional fallout
Italy’s struggles were evident in the shootout, where Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante failed to convert their attempts. Bosnia held their composure, and U.S.-born Esmir Bajraktarević stepped up to score the decisive kick that confirmed Italy’s elimination.
The result left players and staff stunned, with defender Leonardo Spinazzola expressing disbelief at both the outcome and the manner in which it unfolded. He highlighted the broader disappointment felt not only within the squad but also among families and younger supporters who have never witnessed Italy competing on football’s biggest stage.
The defeat adds to a growing list of setbacks, following previous playoff eliminations by Sweden and North Macedonia in the last two World Cup qualification cycles. What was once unthinkable has now become a recurring reality for the national side.
Long-term struggles and growing pressure
Italy’s absence from the World Cup now stretches back years, with the team last playing in a knockout match when they lifted the trophy in 2006 after defeating France on penalties. Since then, they have failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2010 and 2014, before missing out entirely on subsequent tournaments.
Despite winning the European Championship in 2021, consistency has remained elusive. Italian football federation president Gabriele Gravina acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing it as a major crisis for the country’s footballing structure.
Head coach Gennaro Gattuso, who took charge in June after Luciano Spalletti’s departure, admitted the disappointment and apologized following the defeat. Although his team showed signs of recovery with a six-game winning run and a semifinal playoff victory over Northern Ireland, the loss to Bosnia raised fresh concerns about the direction of the squad.
Generational gap and uncertain future
A significant consequence of Italy’s continued absence is the emergence of an entire generation unfamiliar with the national team’s presence at a World Cup. The last appearance dates back to 2014, when Italy exited after a loss to Uruguay in a match remembered for Luis Suarez’s bite on Giorgio Chiellini.
None of the current players have experienced participation in a World Cup final, further emphasizing the scale of the gap. This prolonged absence has intensified scrutiny around leadership and long-term planning within Italian football.
The latest setback may also bring renewed questions regarding Gattuso’s future, though he insisted that immediate focus should remain on the failure to qualify rather than his position. For now, Italy faces the difficult reality of missing out once again on the sport’s biggest stage.