Italy's World Cup decline was ruthlessly exposed as Bosnia and Herzegovina beat the Azzurri on penalties, denying Gennaro Gattuso a place at Euro 2026's global showpiece. A red card, a late Bosnian equaliser and penalty shootout misery compounded Italy's crisis — they will miss a third consecutive World Cup, a first for any former champion.
Italy stunned by Bosnia on penalties — Azzurri miss third straight World Cup
Italy's hopes of returning to the World Cup ended in dramatic fashion as Bosnia and Herzegovina prevailed 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Moise Kean's 15th-minute strike looked to have put Gennaro Gattuso's side on course, but Alessandro Bastoni's dismissal before half-time changed the game and Haris Tabakovic's 79th-minute equaliser forced extra time.
Penalty shootout collapse and the key moments
Pio Esposito wasted Italy's opening spot-kick by blasting over, and Bryan Cristante's third attempt struck the crossbar. Sandro Tonali was Italy's only successful penalty, before Esmir Bajraktarevic calmly converted the decisive spot-kick to seal Bosnia's 4-1 shootout win. Bosnia converted all of their penalties and will travel to the World Cup as Group B contenders.
What this defeat means for Italy
Italy become the first former World Cup winners to miss three consecutive tournaments — a stark illustration of an alarming structural decline. The sending-off of Bastoni was pivotal: reduced to ten men, Italy abandoned control and were forced into a defensive, reactive posture. Penalty malaise compounded tactical issues; missing junior role-players and composure in high-stakes moments underlined a team short on mental resilience as much as quality.
Managerial and tactical takeaways
Gattuso's side showed fight but lacked adaptability once down to ten players. The plan to absorb pressure and nick a result never fully materialised after the red card, and the reliance on players with mixed big-game experience exposed Italy’s shallow margin for error. This elimination will intensify scrutiny of selection, youth integration and the federation’s pathway back to elite competitiveness.
Other qualifiers and notable results
Sweden secured qualification with an 88th-minute winner from Viktor Gyokeres to beat Poland 3-2, repaying the faith placed in their rebuilt attacking line. The Czech Republic advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Denmark following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Turkey reached the World Cup with a 1-0 victory in Kosovo, booking their first appearance since 2002.
Immediate implications for teams and groups
Bosnia and Herzegovina join Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, plus Switzerland and Qatar. Sweden are placed in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. The Czech Republic slot into Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. Turkey draw into Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia. These placements reshape competitive expectations and invite tactical questions for coaches preparing for the summer tournament.
2026 World Cup groups (finalised placements)
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B
Canada (co-hosts), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C
Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D
United States (co-hosts), Australia, Paraguay, Turkey
Group E
Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Group G
Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H
Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I
France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq/Bolivia
Group J
Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K
Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo/Jamaica
Group L
England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Looking ahead — consequences and questions
For Bosnia, qualification is a watershed moment that validates player development and offers a chance to test themselves on football’s biggest stage.
For Italy, the task is existential: rebuild credibility, modernise tactics and restore the psychological solidity that once made them tournament favourites.
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How the Italian federation responds — managerial direction, youth promotion and defensive discipline — will define whether this is a temporary low or the start of a prolonged fall from elite status.
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