Italy fall to Bosnia, three straight World Cups missed and 20 years without passing group stage | OneFootball

Italy suffered another qualifying collapse as Bosnia and Herzegovina knocked them out on penalties in the UEFA second round play-off final, so the Azzurra will miss the 2026 World Cup. According to SuperDepor.com, they were top seeds and had Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci on the staff.

Italy opened the play-off with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland. The decider finished 1-1, then Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante failed from the spot as Bosnia advanced.

The defeat means three straight World Cups missed and no progression beyond a group since Germany 2006, when Italy were champions. Recent setbacks include losing a play-off to Sweden for Russia 2018, a shock exit to North Macedonia for Qatar, and a qualifying campaign of six wins in eight that still trailed a perfect Norway.

In the fallout, the country’s sports ministry called a meeting of leaders from all tiers, inviting coaches and players, and promised major changes at the Italian federation.

Italy’s World Cup record since 2006 has been bleak, bottom of their group in 2010 with draws against Paraguay and New Zealand and defeat to Slovakia, then out in 2014 despite beating England in a pool with Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress marks only their second World Cup since independence. Despite a Euro 2012 runners-up finish, third at the 2013 Confederations Cup and the Euro 2020 title over England, Italy now face at least four more years away from the finals.

Source: SuperDepor.com