Italy has not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, marking a significant decline for a historically successful football nation. The recent match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31, 2026, at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica was a critical moment for both teams.
In the match, Italy initially took the lead with a goal from Moise Kean in the 15th minute. However, the situation turned dire when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the first half, leaving Italy with ten men.
As the game progressed, Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to equalize in the 79th minute with a goal from Haris Tabakovic. This equalizer shifted the momentum of the match, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Bosnia and Herzegovina converted all four of their penalty kicks, while Italy faced disappointment as Francesco Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their attempts. This loss meant Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Gennaro Gattuso, the coach of Italy, expressed his disappointment, stating, “It hurts, because we needed it for us, for all of Italy and for our movement. A blow that’s difficult to digest.” His sentiments were echoed by Leonardo Spinazzola, who remarked, “Italian children will see another World Cup without Italy.”
This defeat marks a significant moment in Italian football history, as the nation has won four men’s World Cups but has not qualified since their last appearance in 2014 in Brazil. Observers are left questioning the future of Italian football, as the team faces a challenging path ahead.
As Italy grapples with this setback, the focus will be on rebuilding and finding a way to return to the World Cup stage. The disappointment felt by players and fans alike emphasizes the need for a renewed strategy and commitment to success.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the immediate future plans for the Italian national team, but the urgency for change is palpable.