Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after losing their play-off to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, becoming the first former champions to miss three straight tournaments. The Azzurri were reduced to ten men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the first half and could not recover, falling 4-1 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in Zenica.
Moise Kean put Italy ahead in the 15th minute when he profited from a mistake by Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, but Bastoni was dismissed in the 41st minute for a last-man foul on Amar Memic. With Italy down to ten, substitute Haris Tabakovic equalised for Bosnia in the 79th minute. In the penalty shootout Bosnia converted all four of their kicks; Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was the only Italian to score and Pio Esposito missed for Italy.
Italy’s absence from the 2026 finals will stretch to at least 16 years: their last World Cup knockout appearance was the 2006 final, which they won on penalties. The Azzurri failed to progress from the group stage at the last two tournaments and have now missed qualification for two successive World Cups, having previously only missed the 1958 finals. Defender Leonardo Spinazzola said, “We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened in this manner.” Head coach Gennaro Gattuso apologised to the nation, while Italian federation president Gabriele Gravina warned of a “huge crisis” and called for a rebuild.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will appear at only their second World Cup, joining Group B in 2026 alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. Manager Sergej Barbarez celebrated the achievement more calmly than the fans, who erupted in wild scenes after the final whistle.
Other play-off outcomes:
– Sweden secured qualification with a late winner from Viktor Gyokeres, beating Poland 3-2 in Stockholm. Sweden will be in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
– The Czech Republic returned to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, defeating Denmark 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw following extra time in Prague. Pavel Sulc and Ladislav Krejci scored in normal time for the Czechs; Joachim Andersen and Kasper Hogh had replies for Denmark. The Czechs join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.
– Turkey denied Kosovo a debut World Cup berth with a 1-0 win in Pristina, Kerem Akturkoglu scoring the decisive goal in the 53rd minute. Turkey will be in Group D with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
– The Democratic Republic of Congo beat Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in Guadalajara to reach their first World Cup since 1974. Two potential DR Congo goals from Cédric Bakambu were disallowed for offside before Axel Tuanzebe netted the 100th-minute winner. DR Congo will play Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.
– Iraq became the 48th and final nation to qualify, beating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental play-off. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured Iraq’s first World Cup appearance since 1986; they will be drawn into Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.