Italian football is reeling after the national team suffered a shock penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, marking their third consecutive failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The result means the four-time World Cup winners, most recently crowned in 2006, will miss the global showpiece in 2026, extending a devastating streak that began with the 2018 tournament.
The decisive playoff match, held in Zenica, Bosnia, saw Italy initially take the lead in the 15th minute through Fiorentina forward Moise Kean.
However, the game took a turn when Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for bringing down a Bosnian attacker. World No. 65 Bosnia and Herzegovina capitalized on their numerical advantage, equalizing in the 79th minute via Haris Tabaković.
The match ultimately went to penalties, where Italy missed twice from the spot, sealing their fate and sending Bosnia to only its second World Cup as an independent nation.
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A recurring nightmare
The magnitude of Italy’s absence from the World Cup is underscored by the nation’s rich footballing history. Having lifted the trophy four times, the Azzurri’s repeated failures to reach the tournament, in 2018, 2022, and now 2026, have plunged the sport into a profound crisis. Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport captured the national mood with a headline declaring it “the third apocalypse.”
The defeat is particularly painful given Italy’s recent success at Euro 2020, where they famously beat England on penalties at Wembley Stadium. However, their World Cup record since their 2006 triumph has been bleak, with group stage exits in 2010 and 2014 preceding the current qualification drought.
Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola expressed the team’s devastation after the loss: “We still don’t believe it, that we’re out and that it happened in this manner. It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
Calls for systemic change
The repeated failures have ignited urgent calls for systemic reform within Italian football. Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), resigned from his role, with a new president set to be elected on June 22. This leadership change comes amidst growing pressure on Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who is facing demands for answers from politicians.
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The issues appear to run deep. Italian sports journalist Tancredi Palmeri, speaking to CNN Sports’ Amanda Davies, emphasized the need for fundamental change: “Change at the top has to happen or Italy will be doomed to relive this again and again.
Obviously, Gattuso is not the problem, but he is not even the solution. He was a temporary coach who came on last June. His task was to restore a sense of belonging to the Italian team, to the national team, to the players. He actually succeeded in that, but football is not only about that.”
Concerns about the structure of Italian football are not new. In 2013, legendary player Roberto Baggio resigned from his position as technical director of the FIGC, citing a lack of support for his 900-page reform program.
Baggio stated that €10 million had been allocated for his initiatives, but he had not received any funds, leading to his departure. As former prime minister Matteo Renzi noted, “Soccer isn’t just entertainment in our country; it’s part of our culture and national identity,” underscoring the profound impact of the national team’s struggles on the country.
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Sources: edition.cnn.com
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