play Live Sign upShow navigation menuplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upSport|FootballBosnia and Herzegovina dump Italy out of World Cup 2026 qualifierAfter the match was level at 1-1 after extra time, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy 4-1 on penalties to reach finals.
twitterwhatsappcopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoBosnia and Herzegovina's Haris Tabakovic celebrates scoring a penalty during the penalty shootout [Matteo Ciambelli/Reuters]By Kevin HandPublished On 31 Mar 202631 Mar 2026Four-time champions Italy have will miss out on a third consecutive World Cup finals after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their European qualifying playoff for the 2026 edition.
With the match level at 1-1 after extra time, the Bosnia and Herzegovina secured the spot kicks 4-1 as the Italians, reduced to ten-men in the first half of normal time, crumpled under the pressure.
Italy took the lead in the 15th minute through Moises Kean’s fine first-time finish, curled home from the edge of the box.
The Italians were reduced to ten-men, however, when Alessandro Bastoni saw red for a professional foul, denying the home side a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
After relentless pressure thereafter, they found their way onto level terms with Tabakovic pouncing on a loose ball in the box following a corner.
Italy missed their first and third kicks of the shootout, while the home support were electrified as their side rifled in the four kicks they were required to take.
Italy are the first former winners to fail to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals, their last win in the tournament was in 2006 when current manager Gennaro Gattuso was part of the national team.
