Italy Misses World Cup
Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia — their third consecutive World Cup absence. The final six playoff spots were clinched this week with Turkey, Sweden, Czech Republic and Bosnia among the teams that advanced to the expanded 48‑team tournament (nytimes.com) (nbcnewyork.com).
The playoff final was played in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (uefa.com) Moise Kean opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a curling first-time finish, his sixth successive international appearance with eight goals across that run. (uefa.com) Centre-back Alessandro Bastoni was dismissed in the 41st minute for a last‑man foul, leaving Italy down to ten men before half‑time. (uefa.com) Haris Tabaković equalised in the 79th minute after Gianluigi Donnarumma had clawed Edin Džeko’s header off the line, and Bosnia’s Nikola Vasilj kept the match alive with a late extra‑time block. (uefa.com) In the shootout Bosnia converted four spot‑kicks (Tahirović, Tabaković, Alajbegović and Esmir Bajraktarević) while Pio Esposito missed and Bryan Cristante hit the crossbar, with Bajraktarević burying the decisive penalty. (uefa.com) FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said he had asked coach Gennaro Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon to remain in their roles, and Buffon indicated the pair would stay “until June.” (football-italia.net) Italy’s sporting establishment reacted sharply: Sports minister Andrea Abodi called for a renewal of FIGC leadership and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis proposed reducing Serie A to 16 teams. (football-italia.net) Bosnia celebrated what UEFA described as only their second‑ever appearance at a World Cup finals after prevailing in the tense qualifying decider in Zenica. (uefa.com)
