Italy have suffered a heartbreaking elimination from the 2026 World Cup after falling to a 4-1 defeat on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA playoff final played in Zenica.
The Azzurri, four-time world champions, were unable to secure qualification despite taking an early lead through a well-taken goal from Moise Kean in the 15th minute, only for their hopes to unravel dramatically in the closing stages of the match.
The turning point came shortly before halftime when defender Alessandro Bastoni received a straight red card in the 41st minute, leaving Italy to battle with just ten men for the remainder of the contest.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors held firm through much of the second half, but Bosnia and Herzegovina found an equalizer in the 79th minute thanks to a goal from substitute Haris Tabakovic, forcing the game into extra time with the score locked at 1-1.
Neither side could break the deadlock during the additional 30 minutes, sending the decisive outcome to a penalty shootout. In the spot-kick drama, Italy struggled to convert their opportunities, with Pio Esposito missing his effort and Bryan Cristante striking the crossbar, while Bosnia and Herzegovina converted all four of their penalties, including the winning kick from Esmir Bajraktarević. Only Sandro Tonali found the net for the Azzurri from the spot.
This result marks a devastating milestone for Italian football, as the Azzurri will now miss the World Cup for the third consecutive time, having also failed to qualify for the tournaments in 2018 and 2022.
It represents an unprecedented low for a nation with such a storied history in the competition, extending their absence from the global stage to at least 16 years since their last appearance in 2014.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the victory secures a place at the 2026 finals in North America, marking their return to the tournament for the first time since 2014 and sparking jubilant celebrations in Zenica. The outcome has left Italian fans and the football community in shock, prompting widespread reflection on the current state of the national team.