Story perspectives

Italy Misses World Cup Again After Penalty Shootout Loss

4/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, their third consecutive World Cup absence.
Moise Kean gave Italy the lead, but Alessandro Bastoni, Italy defender, received a red card before halftime.
Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina equalized in the 79th minute, sending the match to penalties.
Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's head coach, expressed disappointment and acknowledged the dire state of Italian football.

Summary

Story summary

Italy failed to qualify for World Cup for the third consecutive time after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A red card for Alessandro Bastoni shifted the momentum of the match.
Gennaro Gattuso, the national team coach, acknowledged the team's struggles.
Outrage in Italy followed, with calls for the resignation of Gabriele Gravina, FIGC president, amid discussions about an overhaul of Italian football and the team's future leadership.

History

Historical Context

Italy's football legacy faced a significant setback in 1958 when the national team failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, finishing behind Sweden and the Soviet Union. This failure mirrors Italy's recent struggles, as they have now missed three consecutive World Cups. The ongoing criticism of the Italian Football Federation and calls for FIGC president Gabriele Gravina's resignation underscore deep concerns about the future of Italian football.

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Story summary

Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, their third consecutive World Cup absence.
Moise Kean gave Italy the lead, but Alessandro Bastoni, Italy defender, received a red card before halftime.
Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina equalized in the 79th minute, sending the match to penalties.
Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's head coach, expressed disappointment and acknowledged the dire state of Italian football.

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