Gianluigi Donnarumma was one of just a number of Italy players reduced to tears by Tuesday's World Cup playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina - but the penalty shootout defeat in Zenica hit the goalkeeper harder than most. This wasn't the first time he'd been involved in a failed attempt to qualify - it was the third. Despite his devastation, though, Donnarumma remained defiant.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has delivered a chilling ultimatum to Italy, warning that the nation could be stripped of its Euro 2032 hosting rights if drastic improvements are not made to its crumbling stadium infrastructure. The threat comes at a time of unprecedented crisis for the Azzurri following their third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Gennaro Gattuso is expected to step down as Italy head coach following the nation's catastrophic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Azzurri suffered a heartbreaking playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the third consecutive time the four-time world champions will be absent from the global stage.
Dejan Kulusevski has issued a defiant blast to his international rivals as he enters the final stages of a gruelling rehabilitation process. The Tottenham winger has not featured since May 2025 after suffering a right kneecap injury, but even with his World Cup participation hanging in the balance, he is refusing to lower his expectations for Sweden’s summer campaign.
Robert Lewandowski’s illustrious international career could be nearing a sudden conclusion after Poland suffered a devastating defeat to Sweden in their 2026 World Cup playoff final. The veteran Barcelona striker was seen in tears on the pitch following the narrow loss, which officially ended the nation's hopes of qualifying for the global tournament held in North America.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Four-time World Cup champions Italy will miss the 2026 tournament after losing on penalties in a stunner to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Gli Azzurri took an early lead off of Moise Kean's 15th-minute finish, but couldn't capitalize on other chances to go further ahead. Haris Tabaković played the spoiler, leveling for Bosnia in the 79th minute. Italy failed to deliver on spot kicks, losing 4-1 in that round.
The Czech Republic went to a penalty shoot-out twice – and both times the team kept their nerve. After two real nail-biters, the team has now qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.
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