Bosnia Vs Italy, FIFA World Cup 2026: Azzuri Suffer WC Heart-Break For Third Time In A Row

One of soccer’s historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time.

Updated on: 1 April 2026 3:22 pm

Published at: 1 April 2026 5:06 am

Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Bosnia players celebrate their win

Bosnia players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at the end of the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Teammates separate Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bosnia's Amar Dedic, right, during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Fans react after a penalty shootout at the end of the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Tennis star Novak Djokovic attends the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia's Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates after winning a penalty shootout during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy, FIFA World Cup 2026, Gianluigi Donnarumma

Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma walks off the field after a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Bosnian fans

Bosnian fans wave flags as they celebrate after the Bosnian national team qualified for the World Cup by winning a penalty shootout against Italy, in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final- Bosnian qualified for the World Cup

An aerial view shows fans celebrating after the Bosnian national team qualified for the World Cup by winning a penalty shootout against Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-

Italy players gather in the center circle for a penalty shootout during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Referee Clement Turpin shows a red card

Referee Clement Turpin shows a red card to Italy's Alessandro Bastoni (21) during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Italys Moise Kean

Italy's Moise Kean, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Gianluigi Donnarumma

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulls on the sort of Bosnia's Amar Dedic during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut

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Bosnia vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff final-Bosnias Ermedin Demirovic

Bosnia's Ermedin Demirovic celebrates after Bosnia's Haris Tabakovic scored his side's first goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut