Italy makes heartbreaking history by missing out on third straight World Cup after shootout loss

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes count down the top 26 players who will define this year’s tournament, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Christian Pulisic.

Italy made heartbreaking history on Tuesday night, as they missed their third straight World Cup bid following a loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Italy is now the first World Cup-winning team to miss three consecutive tournaments following the penalty-kick shootout loss in the European playoffs. 

The nation was once a soccer powerhouse, winning it all four times with its most recent in 2006. But recent years have not been kind to the Italian squad, and they were feeling the pain of the loss after the match. 

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Pio Esposito of Italy disappointment during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO playoff match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026, in Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Image Photo Agency)

"We still don’t believe it – that we’re out and that it happened in this manner," Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola said to reporters, per the New York Post. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup."

After 90 minutes and extra time, both nations were stuck in a 1-1 tie, and the penalty shootout was needed to determine a winner. Italy eventually fell to Bosnia-Herzegovina, 4-1, in the shootout, as Esmir Bajraktarevic secured the victory with the final goal. 

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It didn’t help that Italy was playing with just 10 men on the field after Alessandro Bastoni received a