Italy’s World Cup exile will continue after it fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
Penalties were needed to decide the play-off final after it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the play-off stage to miss the last two World Cups.
Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate its defeat of Italy. (Reuters: Amel Emric)
Its last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only previous appearance.
Italy got off to the perfect start, with Moise Kean putting his side ahead in the 15th minute.
But Italy had Alessandro Bastoni sent off four minutes before the break to raise the hopes of the home side.
Bosnia and Herzegovina levelled 11 minutes from time through Haris Tabaković.
Both Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their penalties for Italy, while the hosts made no mistake from the spot to repeat their semifinal shootout win over Wales.
“We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened in this manner,” Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola said.
“It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
Italy’s last World Cup knockout match was when it won the title in 2006 by beating France in a penalty shootout.
None of Italy’s current players have participated in a World Cup finals.
The defeat will raise questions about the status of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.
Socceroos to play Türkiye
Türkiye qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2002, setting up a clash with the Socceroos in the group stage.
A 1-0 victory over Kosovo in Pristina sealed Türkiye’s spot in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s second-half goal was enough to send Türkiye through to the World Cup. (Getty Images/UEFA: Armando Babani)
The Socceroos will play Türkiye, ranked 25th in the world, in their Group D opener in Vancouver on June 14.
The US and Paraguay are also in Group D.
Türkiye forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored the only goal against Kosovo, finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
For Kosovo, ranked 79th and playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the defeat brought an end to a remarkable run – falling just short of a historic debut at a major tournament, less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.
Swedes reach World Cup
Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in Solna to book its ticket to the World Cup, as Viktor Gyökeres struck two minutes from time to decide a frantic qualification play-off final.
Anthony Elanga’s opener for Sweden was cancelled out by Nicola Zalewski’s equaliser, but Gustaf Lagerbielke’s 44th-minute strike restored the hosts’ advantage and ensured they entered the break ahead.
Anthony Elanga (left) celebrates with Swedish teammate Daniel Svensson. (Getty Images: Michael Campanella)
Despite Karol Świderski drawing the visitors level again shortly after the interval, Gyökeres capitalised on a late goal-mouth scramble to side-foot home the winner.
The result earned Sweden a spot in Group F for the 2026 World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
It marks Sweden’s first appearance at the tournament since 2018.
Czechs beat Denmark on penalties
Czechia clinched a spot at the World Cup by beating Denmark 3-1 on penalties after an absorbing encounter in Prague.
The Czechs were pegged back to 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 2-2 after the extra period before winning the shootout to reach their first World Cup since 2006 to delight the home fans.
Pavel Šulc helped Czechia qualify for the World Cup. (Getty Images/UEFA: Sebastian Widmann)
The hosts — who beat Ireland in a shootout in the play-off semifinals last week — stunned Denmark when Pavel Šulc found the top corner with a first-time strike after three minutes.
The visitors levelled in the 72nd through a Joachim Andersen header before Czechia captain Ladislav Krejčí and Denmark’s Kasper Høgh scored in extra time to send the match to penalties.
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