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Italy entered into heartbreaking history on Tuesday night, missing out on their third consecutive World Cup bid after a defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy are now the first World Cup winning team to miss three consecutive tournaments after losing on penalties in the European qualifiers.
The nation was once a soccer powerhouse, winning four times, most recently in 2006. But recent years have not been kind to the Italian team, and they were feeling the pain of defeat after the match.
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Pio Esposito of Italy disappointment during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers KO match between Bosnia and Italy. Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Image Photo Agency)
“We still don’t believe it, that we are eliminated and that it happened this way,” Italian Leonardo Spinazzola told reporters, according to the New York Post. “It’s devastating for everyone. For us, for our families and for all the children who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
After 90 minutes and extra time, the two nations were locked in a 1-1 draw and penalties were needed to determine the winner. Italy ultimately lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4-1, in the shootout, as Esmir Bajraktarevic secured victory with the final goal.
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It didn’t help that Italy were playing with just 10 men on the pitch after Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card before half-time. Bosnia and Herzegovina took advantage of the numerical advantage to level the score in the 79th minute, as Haris Tabakovic scored the equalizer.
Italian defender Alessandro Bastoni receives a red card from the referee during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifying final football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (Elvis BARUKCIC / AFP)
Moise Kean managed to score the first for Italy in the 15th minute, giving them the momentum they were looking for heading into the match. However, they ultimately never managed to rally.
Although Italy remains one of only three nations to have won the World Cup four times in its history, they can’t seem to find what it takes to qualify for the tournament.
In 2018, Italy fell to Sweden, while North Macedonia surprised them in 2022 in the qualifiers.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers knockout play-off match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Srdjan Stevanovic – UEFA)
Now, Bosnia and Herzegovina will try their luck in Group B when the World Cup kicks off, starting with a match against Canada. They will also face Qatar and Switzerland in the group stage.
