Four World Cups. Three consecutive absences. A nation of 60 million beaten on penalties by one of 3.5 million.

Italy’s exile from football’s biggest stage will stretch to at least 16 years after a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday. The result carries a particular sting of absurdity: Italy are now the only World Cup winners to miss three successive tournaments, defeated by a country appearing in just its second.

Moise Kean gave Italy the lead in the 15th minute with a first-time strike from outside the area — his eighth goal in six international appearances, according to Reuters. But Alessandro Bastoni’s red card three minutes before halftime tilted the match. Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalised with 11 minutes remaining, pouncing on a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Edin Dzeko’s header.

The shootout was almost merciful in its brevity. Pio Esposito blasted over. Bryan Cristante struck the crossbar. Bosnia, perfect from the spot, did not require their goalkeeper to make a single save. Esmir Bajraktarević — born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and formerly a US international — converted the winner.

“Italian children will see another World Cup without Italy,” a tearful Leonardo Spinazzola told RAI.

Consider the trajectory. Italy won the World Cup in 2006, beating France on penalties in Berlin. Since then: group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014, then qualifying failures against Sweden, North Macedonia, and now Bosnia. An entire generation — anyone under 15 — has no memory of Italy at a World Cup. None of the current squad has played in one.

Italy did win the European Championship in 2021, proof the talent exists. But qualifying has become a recurring psychodrama. Coach Gennaro Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti last June, apologised post-match but declined to discuss his future, saying: “Today talking about my future is not important.”

Bosnia, ranked 66th by FIFA — 54 places below Italy — will join Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B. Their only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014, the last time Italy qualified. The symmetry is cruel.

Sources