Italy nationwide soccer staff have formally been eradicated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic third consecutive failure to qualify after lacking the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Softfootball stories.
Based on an replace shared by switch journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X deal with, Italy’s hopes resulted in a dramatic playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina nationwide soccer staff, the place they misplaced on penalties after being lowered to 10 males following a crimson card to Alessandro Bastoni.
Romano reported:
BREAKING: Italy are OUT of the 2026 World Cup. Third World Cup missed in a row.
The match, performed below tough climate situations, noticed Italy battle with dedication, however finally fall quick within the shootout.
In different stories by Romano, head coach Gennaro Gattuso who had earlier dismissed any excuses relating to situations, later apologized to followers, acknowledging the ache of one other failed marketing campaign.
Gennaro Gattuso: “Let me express regret to Italy followers, to our nation as a result of I didn’t make it”. “My future? It doesn’t matter now, I don’t care about that now. It hurts”.
Regardless of the setback, Gabriele Gravina has reportedly requested Gattuso to stay in cost, signaling continuity amid rising criticism over the nationwide staff’s decline.
Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina: “I’ve requested Gennaro Gattuso to remain and proceed”.
The outcome highlights a worrying pattern for one in every of soccer’s most adorned nations, absent from the World Cup since 2014.
In distinction, Turkey nationwide soccer staff secured qualification with a 1–0 victory over Kosovo nationwide soccer staff, ending a 24-year absence from the match.
