Italy Misses Third Consecutive World Cup
Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, marking their third consecutive absence from football's premier tournament after missing out on the 2018 and 2022 editions.
The match ended 1-1 in regular time on Tuesday, but Italy lost 4-1 on penalties, with defender Alessandro Bastoni having been sent off with a red card in the first half.
Goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, 27, made several saves during the second half but was unable to stop any penalties in the shootout. Reports indicated a confrontation between Donnarumma and Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj during the shootout, including claims that Donnarumma damaged Vasilj's penalty notes. After the final whistle, Donnarumma had to be restrained by teammates as he attempted to approach the celebrating Bosnia players.
"Last night, after the match, I cried. I cried because of the disappointment of not being able to lead Italy where it deserves to be," Donnarumma wrote on Instagram.
Italy's penalty misses included those by Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante. Donnarumma expressed his deep sadness for himself, his teammates, and the fans.
"I cried because of the enormous sadness I'm feeling, along with the entire Azzurri team, of which I'm proud to be captain, and I know you, fans of our national team, are feeling it too," he added.
Donnarumma, who made his senior debut in 2016 at age 17, has yet to play in a World Cup and will be at least 31 before his next opportunity. He was 15 when Italy was eliminated in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup by Uruguay.
He wrote it would take "a lot of strength, passion, and conviction" to restore his country "back where it deserves to be."
The former Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan goalkeeper continued:
"Always believe; this is the driving force behind moving forward. Because life knows how to reward those who give their all, without holding back.
And this is where we must start again. Together. Once again."
National Reaction and Calls for Reform
Italy's failure to reach the World Cup has sparked widespread criticism from fans, media, and politicians. Many have called for significant changes within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), including the resignation of its president, Gabriele Gravina.
"It is an unacceptable disgrace. Italian football needs a complete overhaul, starting with the resignation of Gabriele Gravina," stated the League Party, part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition, on Instagram.
Italy's sports minister, Andrea Abodi, also advocated for comprehensive reforms within the FIGC.
"It's clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and that starts with changes at the top of the FIGC," Abodi said in a statement.
The front page of the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera described the situation as "the World Cup curse" and emphasized the necessity for a rebuilding movement.
Supporters gathered in venues across Italy, hoping for a different outcome than the previous two unsuccessful World Cup play-off campaigns, which ended in losses to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
However, the result left fans with a familiar sense of disappointment.
"It makes no sense. Honestly, I'm shocked," said Davide Caldaretta, who watched the game at a city pub, speaking to .
"[We feel] really upset and disappointed. Even when you're let down, you always hold out hope. And this is the third time in a row," added Melanie Cardillo.
Context and Historical Perspective
Since Italy's last World Cup knockout match victory—when they defeated France to win the 2006 World Cup—numerous global events have occurred, including the discovery of water on Mars, Leicester City's Premier League triumph, the launch of the iPhone, and the birth of Spain star Lamine Yamal, who finished runner-up in last year's Ballon d'Or.
The ongoing failure to qualify for the World Cup has been described by some as a "third apocalypse" for Italian football, reflecting the depth of national disappointment.
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