For the third consecutive FIFA World Cup cycle, four-time champions Italy have failed to secure a spot at the global tournament, suffering a crushing penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final UEFA play-off. Tuesday’s results also locked in three other qualifiers — Turkey, Sweden, and the Czech Republic — for the 48-team 2026 finals co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, bringing an end to a dramatic final night of European qualifying.
Four-time World Cup winners Italy, who have not lifted the global trophy since 2006 and have not progressed past the group stage of any tournament they qualified for since 2006, now face another extended spell on the tournament sidelines. They already missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions, falling to play-off defeats against Sweden and North Macedonia respectively, and their 2014 group stage exit remains their last appearance at the finals.
The night unfolded in chaotic fashion for Italy’s Azzurri: Moise Kean put Gennaro Gattuso’s side ahead in the 15th minute, but a first-half red card for defender Alessandro Bastoni left Italy down to 10 men for more than an hour of play. Bosnia capitalized on their numerical advantage late, with Haris Tabakovic netting the equalizer in the 79th minute to force the match into extra time. With no additional goals scored through the additional 30 minutes, the tie was decided from the penalty spot.
In one of the most lopsided penalty shootouts in recent European qualifying history, Bosnia converted all four of their spot kicks to win 4-1. Only Sandro Tonali found the net for Italy: Francesco Pio Esposito dragged his opening penalty over the crossbar, while Bryan Cristante saw his effort smash off the woodwork, confirming Italy’s early exit. A devastated Gattuso said post-match, “I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow. It’s difficult to digest.”
For Bosnia, ranked 66th in the global FIFA rankings, the result marks just their second ever World Cup appearance, following their debut in 2014. They finished second in Group H behind Austria before beating Wales in a penalty shootout in the play-off semi-finals, and will now face Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B this summer.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Turkey ended Kosovo’s fairy-tale run to qualifying with a 1-0 away win in Pristina, booking their first spot at the World Cup in 24 years. A 53rd-minute strike from Kerem Akturkoglu proved the difference for Vincenzo Montella’s side, eliminating a Kosovo side that had only earned FIFA membership a decade prior and was targeting its first ever major global tournament appearance.
Ranked 22nd in the world, Turkey will make just their third ever World Cup appearance, having previously qualified in 1954 and reached the semi-finals on home soil of the 2002 Korea-Japan edition. “We achieved our dreams. The World Cup is the pinnacle in this profession,” Montella told reporters after the win. Turkey will join co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia in Group D.
Sweden booked their place in the most dramatic fashion of all, with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scoring an 88th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 home win over Poland in Stockholm. The side, now managed by English coach Graham Potter, finished bottom of their qualifying group without a single win, and only earned a play-off spot thanks to strong results in the UEFA Nations League.
After beating Ukraine 3-1 in the semi-final last week, Sweden twice surrendered the lead against Poland: Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Nicola Zalewski equalized, and Gustaf Lagerbielke restored Sweden’s lead before half time, only for Karol Swiderski to level the scores again early in the second half. Gyokeres eventually forced the ball over the line in a late goalmouth scramble to send Sweden through. They will face the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F.
The Czech Republic rounded out the night of qualifying with a penalty shootout win over Denmark in Prague, securing their first World Cup appearance since 2006. The match ended 2-2 after extra time: Pavel Sulc opened the scoring for the hosts before Joachim Andersen equalized for the Danes, Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs back ahead in extra time, and Kasper Hojlund levelled the match again to force penalties. The Czechs followed their semi-final penalty win over Ireland with another shootout success, winning 3-1 as Denmark converted just one of their four penalties, with Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all missing from the spot. The Czech Republic will face South Africa, South Korea and co-host Mexico in Group A.