7M - Italy Miss Third Straight World Cup

Italy's World Cup nightmare deepened on March 31, 2026, as the four-time champions failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA tournament following a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Azzurri drew 1-1 with their opponents in Zenica before losing 4-1 from the spot, sealing their absence from football's biggest stage for a third consecutive time.

This historic setback marks the first instance of a former World Cup winner missing three straight tournaments. Italy last featured at the global finals in Brazil 2014, despite claiming the European Championship title in 2021. The squad's playoff journey ended in heartbreak as they missed two of their three penalty attempts, while Bosnia converted four of their five.

The result leaves Italy as the only nation ranked within FIFA's top fifteen to miss the 2026 World Cup. Fans gathered in Rome expressed disbelief, with one supporter describing the outcome as a recurring nightmare. Head coach Luciano Spalletti acknowledged the disappointment but praised his players' effort throughout the qualifying campaign.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, by contrast, celebrated their second-ever World Cup qualification, following their debut at Brazil 2014. Their victory sparked street parties in Sarajevo and renewed hope across a nation often divided by political challenges.

Italy now faces a period of reflection as they prepare for the next European Championship qualifying cycle. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will proceed without one of football's most decorated nations, running from June 11 to July 19.