Italy will not take part in this year’s World Cup (Image: Getty)
Italy have failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup as their curse in the competition continues. Since beating France in an unforgettable final 20 years ago, the Italians have won just one World Cup match, crashing out in the group stages in both 2010 and 2014 before failing to qualify for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. And they will not feature this summer either after suffering heartbreak at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout.
Gennaro Gattuso’s team beat Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the qualifiers and led 1-0 after 15 minutes away in Bosnia, courtesy of Moise Kean. But Alessandro Bastoni was sent off shortly before half-time and the 10-man hosts rallied, with Haris Tabakovic equalising in the 79th minute to force extra time. Italy held on to take the game to penalties.
Pio Esposito blazed Italy’s first spot-kick over the crossbar before Bryan Cristante, with their third, thumped his effort from 12 yards against the crossbar. Sandro Tonali was their only scorer. Esmir Bajraktarevic stepped up to secure a 4-1 triumph for the Bosnians, who converted all of their penalties.
Italy are the first former winners ever to miss out on three World Cups in a row. Bosnia, meanwhile, take their place in Group B at the World Cup and face co-hosts Toronto in their first match. Switzerland and Qatar await after that.
Elsewhere, Sweden – managed by former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter – beat Poland 3-2 via Viktor Gyokeres’ 88th-minute winner after missing Qatar four years ago. And the Czech Republic stunned Denmark 3-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Turkey were 1-0 victors in Kosovo to reach their first World Cup since 2002.
Sweden join Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan in Group F. The Czechs go into Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. And Turkey take on another co-hosts, the United States, plus Paraguay and Australia in Group D.
Italy’s latest dose of World Cup heartbreak came on penalties (Image: Getty)
2026 World Cup groups in full
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey
Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq/Bolivia
Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo/Jamaica
England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
