Italy’s costly disrespect of Bosnia completes a 12-year descent for the Azzurri

Last Updated on 1 April 2026

Italy celebrated Bosnia beating Wales. Bosnia beat Italy instead and sent the Azzurri to a third consecutive World Cup nightmare

Italy thought they had their preferred route to the World Cup. When Bosnia edged past Wales on penalties in the semi-finals, footage emerged of the Azzurri players celebrating, apparently relieved to avoid Wales in the final. On Tuesday night in Zenica, Bosnia made them pay.

Four-time champions Italy will miss out on a third consecutive World Cup after losing to Bosnia on penalties, with the match level at 1-1 after extra time before Bosnia won the shootout 4-1. For a nation of Italy’s stature, this is no longer a crisis. It is a pattern.

Italy’s celebration that came back to haunt them in Bosnia

Bosnia seized upon video footage of Italy’s players celebrating after seeing Bosnia beat Wales, as if they considered Bosnia an easier opponent. As per ESPN, Dzeko responded sharply, saying Azzurri appeared “afraid” and were “playing to make up for the two World Cups they missed.”

Federico Dimarco insisted it was an instinctive reaction, but the damage was done. Bosnia carried that motivation onto the pitch and delivered. Italy took the lead through Kean’s curling finish before Alessandro Bastoni was dismissed.

Bosnia, however, levelled late through Tabakovic, and after Esposito missed and Cristante struck the crossbar, Bosnia converted all four penalties to seal qualification.

Three World Cups missed for Italy and no excuses left

Italy are the first former World Cup winners in history to miss three consecutive tournaments. Missing 2018 and 2022 was damaging enough. Failing to reach a 48-team World Cup, a format built to give established nations every opportunity, is simply indefensible.

An entire generation has no memory of the Azzurri at a World Cup, with their last appearance ending in defeat to Uruguay in 2014. The 2021 Euros win briefly masked deeper structural problems.

That mask has now slipped completely, and Italy have nobody to blame but themselves. Gennaro Gattuso, the head coach, struggled to hold back tears and apologized to his nation and summed the loss up as, “It hurts. It’s a shame. I personally apologize.”