Italy will miss a third straight World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in their playoff final on Tuesday.
The four-time champions were beaten 4-1 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in Zenica, confirming their absence from the 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
Italy started well and went ahead through Moise Kean after a mistake from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Their challenge became harder before half-time when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a last-man foul, leaving them to play most of the match with 10 men.
Despite that, Italy stayed in the game with key saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Bosnia equalised in the 79th minute through Haris Tabakovic after Edin Dzeko’s header was saved.
Neither side scored in extra time, sending the match to penalties.
Bosnia were perfect from the spot, scoring all four attempts. Italy missed twice, with Francesco Pio Esposito firing over and Bryan Cristante hitting the crossbar, while Sandro Tonali was their only scorer.
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After the defeat, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said:
“It hurts, because we needed it for us, for all of Italy and for our movement. A blow that’s difficult to digest.”
He added that his future “was not important” at this moment.
Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina described the situation as a “profound crisis”.
Defender Leonardo Spinazzola said:
“Italian children will see another World Cup without Italy.”
Italy’s exit continues their decline on the global stage, with no World Cup knockout appearance since their 2006 triumph.