Italy national football team have officially been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic third consecutive failure to qualify after missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Softfootball reports.
According to an update shared by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, Italy’s hopes ended in a dramatic playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, where they lost on penalties after being reduced to 10 men following a red card to Alessandro Bastoni.
Romano reported:
BREAKING: Italy are OUT of the 2026 World Cup. Third World Cup missed in a row.
The match, played under difficult weather conditions, saw Italy battle with determination, but ultimately fall short in the shootout.
In other reports by Romano, head coach Gennaro Gattuso who had earlier dismissed any excuses regarding conditions, later apologized to fans, acknowledging the pain of another failed campaign.
Gennaro Gattuso: “Let me say sorry to Italy fans, to our country because I didn’t make it”. “My future? It doesn’t matter now, I don’t care about that now. It hurts”.
Despite the setback, Gabriele Gravina has reportedly asked Gattuso to remain in charge, signaling continuity amid growing criticism over the national team’s decline.
Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina: “I’ve asked Gennaro Gattuso to stay and continue”.
The result highlights a worrying trend for one of football’s most decorated nations, absent from the World Cup since 2014.
In contrast, Turkey national football team secured qualification with a 1–0 victory over Kosovo national football team, ending a 24-year absence from the tournament.
