World Cup: Italy fail to qualify for third straight time, while Sweden, Turkey secure places

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year’s tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals. In the intercontinental play-offs, the Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the first time since 1974 and Iraq claimed the final World Cup place. Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to...

6 April 2026 at 05:05 pm

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World Cup: Italy fail to qualify for third straight time, while Sweden, Turkey secure places

Italy's World Cup dreams were shattered on Tuesday as they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending their hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America. This failure marks the third consecutive World Cup in which the Azzurri have missed out, a stark contrast to their illustrious history, which includes four World Cup titles. The match, held in a tense atmosphere, ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, forcing the teams to face off in a penalty shootout. Bosnia and Herzegovina emerged victorious, with Italy's star striker missing a crucial penalty in the decisive moment.

The loss has left Italy's fans and pundits in disbelief, as the national team had been considered one of the favorites to qualify from their group. However, a series of underwhelming performances and a lack of consistency in recent years have contributed to this disappointing outcome. The Italian Football Federation has already announced an internal review to identify the root causes of the failure and outline a plan to rebuild the team for future tournaments.

In contrast, Sweden, Turkey, and the Czech Republic have all secured their spots at the World Cup, adding to their excitement and anticipation for the upcoming tournament. Sweden, known for its tactical discipline and strong defensive play, will look to build on their recent successes in European competitions. Turkey, on the other hand, has been making a resurgence in international football, with a talented squad capable of causing an upset. The Czech Republic, with its rich footballing tradition, will aim to replicate their impressive performance at the 2006 World Cup.

The intercontinental play-offs also saw some surprising qualifiers. The Democratic Republic of Congo, last qualified for the World Cup in 1974, has made a triumphant return after defeating Morocco in a dramatic match. This marks a significant moment for Congolese football, as the national team will be looking to make a statement on the global stage. Iraq, meanwhile, claimed the final World Cup place by defeating Syria, adding to their growing reputation as a formidable team in the region.

As the World Cup countdown continues, the qualification results have left fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches. While Italy's absence will be felt, the qualification of newcomers like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq adds an exciting element to the tournament. The stage is now set for a thrilling World Cup, filled with unpredictable matches and memorable moments, as 32 teams from around the globe prepare to battle for the coveted trophy.

Source: Sport - South China Morning Post

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