Fans of Italian football could be forgiven for thinking it was an April Fools' joke when they woke up to the news on April 1. Sadly for them, it was a cold hard fact that the Azzurri are now the first former champions who have failed to qualify for three World Cup finals in a row.
The four-time World Champions could only manage a 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Zenica, after playing the majority of the game with 10-men following Alessandro Bastoni's red card in the 41st minute.
With the game still tied after extra-time, Sandro Tonali was the only player to score from the spot for the 2006 champions, as they crashed out 4-1 in the penalty shootout to confirm a previously unthinkable reality. Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, extends their absence from the tournament to 16 years, having last played at the 2014 edition in Brazil.
Italy's slide from a global powerhouse marks an unprecedented collapse for one of football's most decorated nations. The side coached by former midfield lynchpin Gennaro Gattuso took an early lead in their playoff final through Moise Kean in the 15th minute. However's Bastoni's sending off for a last-man challenge in the 41st minute turned the tide in favour of the home side.
Bosnia equalised in the 79th minute through Haris Tabakovic and held their nerve in the shootout, where Italy faltered again under pressure. Even within an expanded 48-team format designed to ease qualification, Italy's failure to seal their berth marks a 16-year absence from the tournament.
The result triggered an immediate and fierce reaction from Italian supporters, with frustration and disbelief spilling across stadium stands and social media platforms.
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This fan thought the result was a bit too absurd to be true.
Another fan highlighted goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's staggering absence from the World Cup stage.
Some fans drew attention to a childhood without World Cups for Italian fans.
This user's post underlined how far Italy have fallen since 2006.
2006 champion, Alessandro Del Piero, admitted his nation is now a "laughing stock' of international football.
Some fans noted how the result will affect the large Italian diaspora across the United States and Canada.
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