Sensation! Italy lose to Bosnia and Herzegovina and will miss a third consecutive World Cup

In a World Cup 2026 qualifying play-off, the Italy national football team travelled away to face the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, with a place at the tournament on the line.

Details: Italy took the lead in the 15th minute, but just before half-time they were reduced to ten men. Bosnia capitalised on the advantage, equalising in the 79th minute to send the match into extra time.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, and the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Sebastiano Esposito and Bryan Cristante failed to convert their spot-kicks, while Bosnia were flawless from the spot.

Italy will miss out on the World Cup for the third consecutive time, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions, and now the 2026 tournament.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team have secured their first World Cup appearance since 2014.

Reminder: Our team has prepared a list of European national teams that have qualified for the World Cup.