In one of football’s biggest shocks, Italy’s national team (the Azzurri) failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after a stunning loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a historic low as the four-time world champions miss the tournament for the third consecutive edition.

Historic Collapse

With this defeat, Italy’s nightmare of absence continues, starting from the 2018 Russia World Cup, then Qatar 2022, and now peaking with their failure to reach the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This setback marks a dark chapter in Italian football, leaving only bitter memories of the Euro 2020-winning generation, unable to withstand Bosnia’s determined surge.

Bosnia Achieves the Miracle

Meanwhile, Bosnian players celebrated an incredible achievement, holding firm against Italy’s attacks and securing their spot at the World Cup, etching their names in history as the team that eliminated one of Europe’s giants.

Uncertain Future for Italian Football

This defeat is expected to trigger a major upheaval within the Italian Football Federation, with fans and media calling for mass resignations and a full restructuring of a team that has now struggled to compete at the world’s top level for over a decade.