Italy's World Cup Woes Continue: A Team in Crisis

Behind the goal where the penalty shootout came to an end, Bosnia's ultras displayed a choreographed message showing a U.S. visa, symbolizing their World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, a dejected group of Italian players watched from the halfway line, attempting to console one another amidst tears. The atmosphere was somber, with the Italian team overcome with emotion as the Bosnian fans celebrated around them. A visibly distraught Leonardo Spinazzola expressed his disappointment, stating, 'It's a nightmare. I've been part of the national team for nine years and still haven't had the chance to play in a World Cup. It's devastating, not just for me, but for the entire team and our country.' His teammates, including captain Gigio Donnarumma, were too distraught to speak, still trying to come to terms with the result and the refereeing decisions made by Clement Turpin. Under intense questioning, Gennaro Gattuso struggled to contain his emotions, biting his lip in an attempt to cope with the distress. He apologized to the 500 fans who had traveled to Zenica and the millions watching back home, saying, 'It hurts.' Gattuso took a moment to gather himself before thanking his players, firmly believing they deserved a better outcome. He cited two major regrets: the red card given to Alessandro Bastoni before half-time and the missed opportunity by Moise Kean to make it 2-0 despite being down to 10 men. These moments of disappointment and missed opportunities have become a recurring theme for Italy, who have become the first former World Cup champion to miss out on three consecutive World Cups. Such instances often get lost in the broader narrative of Italian football's decline. For example, in 2017, the players and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) failed to capitalize on their instincts and stage a mutiny to remove the underperforming Gian Piero Ventura from his position as head coach between the first and second legs of their play-off against Sweden. In 2022, Jorginho's missed penalties against Switzerland home and away were the difference between qualifying automatically and not. These fine margins and specific circumstances surrounding each shortcoming have contributed to Italy's current predicament. On Tuesday night, in the cramped press room at the Bilino Polje, Gattuso, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, and delegation chief Gigi Buffon faced the media, anticipating calls for their resignation. Buffon wore a pained expression, reminiscent of his time in goal against Sweden nine years ago when a deflected shot from Jakob Johansson marked the beginning of Italy's World Cup qualification trauma. Buffon, Italy's most-capped player, is deeply invested in resolving this issue, both as a proud Italian and a key figure in the country's football landscape. Buffon was the one who appointed Gattuso last summer, despite Gattuso having spent a year working in the Balkans with Hajduk Split. This decision did not inspire confidence in everyone, given Gattuso's limited experience as a coach. In a recent development, the 2026 World Cup teams, schedule, and venues have been announced, serving as a harsh reminder of Italy's absence from the tournament. The Italian team's failure to qualify has sparked widespread criticism and disappointment. When questioned, Buffon acknowledged the team's improvement but emphasized that their primary goal was to qualify for the World Cup. He stated that the FIGC would not rush to judgment on what to do next, adding, 'The season ends in June, and until then, I think it is right for me to continue my duties to the FIGC and to the president.' Notably, nobody resigned following the defeat, which has sparked consternation back in Italy. Gravina, the president of the FIGC, did not quit after the defeat to North Macedonia in 2022 or the underwhelming performance against Switzerland at the Euros in 2024. As the common denominator, his critics question how Italy can break this cycle with him still at the helm. Rather than focusing on the result, Gravina praised the players' performance, describing them as 'heroic.' Italy had played with their backs against the wall for over 90 minutes, facing the Soviet-style tower blocks overlooking the Bilino Polje. Despite being down to 10 men after Bastoni's expulsion and Haris Tabakovic's equalizer, they managed to reach penalties, only to be denied by Bosnia's superior spot-kick performance. The Italian team's struggles in World Cup qualification have overshadowed their progress in other areas. For instance, they have introduced more age groups and allowed Serie A clubs to enroll B teams in Italy's third division to bridge the gap between youth-team football and the men's game. These changes have borne fruit, with Italy winning the Under-17 Euros in 2024 and the Under-19 Euros in 2023. Furthermore, the ownership mix in Italian football is now far healthier than it was a decade ago, with several clubs under stable and highly capitalized management. The country is also set to co-host Euro 2032, which has prompted a long-overdue stadium overhaul. A new San Siro has been given the green light, and the Artemio Franchi in Florence is under reconstruction. Despite these signs of progress, the national team's World Cup qualification woes continue to dominate the narrative. When Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup nine years ago, Gravina's predecessor, Carlo Tavecchio, described it as an apocalypse. However, this is now the third consecutive World Cup that Italy has missed, making it a footballing tragedy. The country's fans can only hope that the team will eventually break this cycle and return to the world stage.