In one of the most stunning upsets in recent European World Cup qualifying history, Bosnia and Herzegovina has knocked four-time tournament winner Italy out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing its own spot in the finals with a 4-1 penalty shootout victory on Tuesday. The tense knockout decider, held in Zenica, finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of play, setting the stage for Bosnia’s historic triumph from the spot.
The tide of the match turned dramatically late in the first half, when Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card, forcing the four-time champions to play the majority of the contest with just 10 men on the pitch. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Italy fought back to force extra time after a 90-minute draw, and held on to take the fixture to penalties — but could not convert enough chances to keep their World Cup dream alive.
For Italy, the result marks a devastating third consecutive failure to qualify for football’s biggest international stage. The Azzurri last competed in a World Cup back in 2014, and have now missed out on the 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions despite their status as one of the most decorated teams in the history of men’s international football.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the victory punches their ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals, which will be held across North America this June and July. They will enter Group B for the group stage, where they are set to face off against Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in their quest for deep tournament run.