Italy fail to qualify for THIRD straight World Cup as Bosnia head to North America

Italy have missed out on a third consecutive World Cup after they failed to qualify following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Azzurri, who managed to win Euro 2020 during their dire World Cup run, will now have to watch this summer’s major tournament despite being the joint second most successful side in World Cup history.

Italy had taken the lead against Bosnia but were down to ten men by half-time, later conceding an equaliser. Moise Kean had put Italy in front after 15 minutes, but the game turned when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card.

Playing against ten men allowed Bosnia to take control and their man advantage eventually proved crucial as Haris Tabakovic scored with 11 minutes of the 90 remaining.

Referee Clèment Turpin shows the red card to Alessandro Bastoni  during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Italy then fluffed their lines in the shootout, missing twice to lose 4-1. Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante both missed from 12 yards with the hosts enjoying a 100 percent record.

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali was the only man to convert for Italy, but that proved irrelevant as the Bosnians were ruthless from 12 yards. Esmir Bajraktarević scored the decisive penalty to secure World Cup qualification.

The disappointment saw Italy become the first former winner to miss three World Cup finals in a row. Not since 2014, when they beat England in the group stages, have the European nations been to the finals.

Bosnia will head to North America for what will be just their second-ever appearance at a World Cup finals, after reaching the 2014 tournament. They go into Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.