Italy out of World Cup 2026: Why Azzurri missing third straight FIFA tournament is generational failure
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Italy out of World Cup 2026: Why Azzurri missing third straight FIFA tournament is generational failure originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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In 2018, it seemed a monumental disaster that Italy had missed the World Cup in Russia, failing to qualify for the tournament just 12 years after securing the nation's fourth FIFA title.
Now, in 2026, that nightmare has continued, as the Azzurri fell short of qualification to their third-straight World Cup.
These kind of depths were previously an unthinkable occurrance for Italian football, but has become the reality as they fell on penalties to Bosnia & Herzegovina in their UEFA World Cup playoff final after a 1-1 draw.
The Sporting News discusses how this happened, what went wrong for Italy, and what the reprecussions will be of such a monumental disaster that borderlines on a disgrace.
MORE:Italy's timeline of missed World Cups over the last 12 years
How did Italy miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Italy finished second in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group, winning all their matches except for a pair of defeats to eventual Group I winners Norway.
That left them in the playoff round, where they were drawn against Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The Azzurri won the semifinal against Northern Ireland 2-0 on goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. However, they were beaten in a penalty shootout in the final against Bosnia & Herzegovina following a 1-1 draw.
Thus, it was 66th-ranked Bosnia & Herzegovina that reached the World Cup, a qualification that came at Italy’s expense.
MORE:How a first-half red card doomed italy's 2026 World Cup hopes
How Italy lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina in World Cup playoff
Italy never seemed in control of their playoff final against Bosnia & Herzegovina, even after they took an early lead on a goal from Moise Kean. It marked Kean's sixth straight game with a goal, equaling an Italian national team record.
All through World Cup qualifying, Azzurri coach Gennaro Gattuso bafflingly decided to have Italy play a significant number of long balls, even as many of their most talented players stood in midfield. He had Italy consistently bypass the likes of Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, and Nicolo Barella in favor of a Route One approach.
The decisive moment in the match came just before halftime, as Alessandro Bastoni — who many consider their best defender and potentially even their best outfield player — committed a brainless foul. After Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal kick was sent straight to an opponent in midfield, it sprang a counter-attack where Amar Memic raced free on goal chased by two Italy defenders.
Bastoni scythed him to the ground, and referee Clement Turpin correctly sent the Italian defender off, brandishing a straight red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. It left Italy to protect their lead a man down for over half the match and beyond.
Bosnia & Herzegovina held a 9-2 shot advantage at the time of the red card, and that disparity would only grow larger as they pushed for a way back in the match. They would draw level in the 79th minute on a scrappy tap-in goal from Haris Tabakovic, who sent the game to extra-time.
Neither side could find a winner, so on to a penalty shootout they went. It was there that Italy's hard work to reach this stage collapsed, as Francesco Esposito began the shootout by clattering the woodwork, and then after Sandro Tonali converted, Bryan Cristante failed to hit the target. Despite Italy having the great Donnarumma in goal, Bosnia & Herzegovina converted all four of their efforts, and advanced to the World Cup.
MORE: Exploring the long-term outlook for Italy after missing out on the 2026 World Cup
Why Italy missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup seals a lost generation
Italy's third straight World Cup qualifying disaster means they will go at least 16 years without an appearance at the FIFA championship, last coming in 2014.
That's an entire generation of talent that could potentially miss out on World Cup action.
27-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma was 15 years old when Italy last contested a World Cup match. While he — a goalkeeper — will likely still be playing at the peak of his career, there are many outfield players who will not have such an opportunity.
Alessandro Bastoni will be 30 when the 2030 World Cup comes around. Sandro Tonali will be 29, and Nicolo Barella will be 33. Moise Kean, Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui, Federico Dimarco, and Manuel Locatelli will all be at least 30 years old, an age at which there are no guarantees in professional football.
Losing an entire generation of talent comes with significant risks to the program’s long-term viability. Once a perennial World Cup title contender, the national team is struggling to produce world-class talent, which has clearly damaged its ability to get results on the pitch.
The Azzurri are no longer at risk of being bypassed by other European nations — they already have been. Now, the danger is in ever making it back.