World Cup Qualification UEFA news

Italian football has been plunged into a state of civil war following the national team’s catastrophic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After a third consecutive absence from the tournament was confirmed by a devastating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, politicians have stepped in to demand an immediate change at the top of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) hierarchy.

Italy's anger works in Barça's favour

Former Real Madrid and England manager Fabio Capello has delivered a scathing assessment of Italian football following the national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup. The legendary coach revealed the severe personal toll the elimination has taken on him, labelling the disaster a tragedy while demanding strict accountability from those at the top of the federation.

Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup on Tuesday, and a gathering in New York City restaurant showed just how painful missing the tournament is.

Italy national team captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has publicly expressed his heartbreak following a devastating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper revealed his profound grief on social media, confessing that he wept after the match as the Azzurri failed to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, extending their absence from the global stage.

A strange move by the Manchester City goalkeeper

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has once again called for a radical restructuring of Italian football following the Azzurri's catastrophic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The outspoken Partenopei owner believes the current 20-team format of Serie A is "destroying" players and leaving the Italy national team with no room to breathe.

The 12 games of the Thomas Tuchel era have yielded mixed results and performances from England. They remain one of the best sides in international football, even if they haven't played particularly well for extended stretches since the Sir Gareth Southgate era. That said, they are among the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup for several reasons.

Azuri in the eye of the storm once again

After Italy once again failed to qualify for the World Cup, the president of the Italian Football Federation is facing calls for his resignation from politicians.

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic was a surprise guest in the stands as Italy suffered a historic defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 24-time Grand Slam winner joined a raucous crowd in Zenica to witness the four-time world champions lose a tense playoff final clash on penalties.

Robert Lewandowski’s dreams of a final World Cup appearance were cruelly extinguished as Poland suffered a dramatic play-off defeat to Sweden in Stockholm. Despite a resilient performance from Jan Urban’s side, a late strike from Viktor Gyokeres secured Sweden's place in this summer's global showpiece, leaving 37-year-old Barcelona striker Lewandowski visibly devastated at the final whistle.

The Italian national team has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row. Reactions from the press to the disaster.

Leonardo Spinazzola has laid bare the heartbreak within the Italy squad after Bosnia and Herzegovina extinguished their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup. The veteran fullback admitted his own international dream is likely over while expressing his deepest sympathies for a generation of Italian children who have never seen their nation on the biggest stage.

Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso admitted he is in deep pain after the Azzurri failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup following a dramatic playoff defeat in the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the historic failure, the Italian football federation has already moved to clarify the manager's immediate future amid the fallout.

GOAL breaks down all the confirmed qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, plus the teams who could soon be on their way.