Reactions to Italy’s qualifying exit
“Italian Apocalypse”
April 1, 2026 – 1:12 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
The “Squadra Azzurra” fails again in the qualification and has to watch the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Italian press didn’t leave the team in good stead afterwards.
Italy is in mourning. For the third time in a row, the four-time world champion missed the finals of the World Cup. Coach Gennaro Gattuso’s team lost 1:4 (1:1, 1:1, 1:0) after a penalty shootout in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday evening despite being in the lead. The team also played outnumbered from the 41st minute onwards after defender Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card for an emergency stop. Two out of three Italian shooters missed in the penalty shootout.
The media in the country is horrified and does not spare any clear words. A first overview.
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Another historic defeat! Like the worst nightmare. We hold the return to the World Cup in our hands – and watch as it is snatched away from us on penalties. The apocalypse continues.”
Tuttosport: “Now everyone has to be thrown out! Total failure. A disaster. Italy says a bitter farewell for the third time.”
Corriere della Sera: “Italian apocalypse! The World Cup is canceled for the third time in a row for the Azzurri.”
La Stampa: “Italian disaster! Italy fails again, Bosnia-Herzegovina keeps their nerve in the penalty shootout.”
Corriere dello Sport: “Penalty shots as verdict: Another depressing night for Italian football. Edin Džeko is going to the World Cup with Bosnia – and we aren’t.”
