Italy has failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a second consecutive absence from the tournament. The Azzurri were eliminated in the European qualifying playoffs, losing 5-4 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw in extra time on April 1, 2026.
The match, played at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo, saw Bosnia take an early lead. Italy equalized in the second half but could not find a winner in regulation or extra time. In the decisive shootout, Italy's final penalty was saved by Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
This result confirms the final European qualifiers for the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Bosnia and Herzegovina secures its first World Cup berth as an independent nation. Italy, the four-time world champion, last missed consecutive tournaments in 1958 and 1962.
The failure to qualify is a major setback for Italian football, which also missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The Italian Football Federation has announced an urgent review of the national team program following the defeat.
