Italy’s latest World Cup failure labeled ‘3rd apocalypse’
Italy, once a titan of world football, has suffered another crushing blow — failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time. The four-time champions were eliminated in a playoff shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team ranked 66th globally.
The match in Zenica began with promise as Moise Kean put Italy ahead, but a red card to Alessandro Bastoni shifted momentum. Bosnia’s Haris Tabakovic equalized late and later scored in the shootout, sealing Italy’s fate.
This latest failure follows playoff exits to Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022. Italy, champions in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006, will now go at least 16 years without appearing at football’s biggest stage. Italian media labeled the debacle the “third apocalypse,” reflecting how repeated disappointment has eroded shock and turned crisis into expectation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Haris Tabakovic scored the equaliser for his team before adding another one in the penalty shootout.
Italy’s World Cup struggles go back all the way to 2010 and 2014, having failed to advance from its group on both occasions. Although the Azzurri did win the European Championship in 2021.
Italy’s last World Cup knockout match was when it won the title in 2006 by beating France in a penalty shootout.
The only other World Cup that Italy did not qualify for was in 1958.
Italy’s latest World Cup failure labeled ‘3rd apocalypse
The first time was considered a fluke. The second was treated as a crisis. Now, with Italy failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, it has become almost expected for the once-proud soccer nation.
The four-time champion’s penalty shootout loss to 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoffs comes after the Azzurri were eliminated at the same stage by Sweden ahead of the 2018 World Cup and by North Macedonia in 2022.
A front-page editorial in the Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday labeled the latest ouster “The third apocalypse,” noting “there’s no longer a feeling of shock or an unexpected catastrophe. It’s becoming the norm.”
The issues in Italian soccer extend beyond the national team.
The last Italian club to win the Champions League was Inter Milan in 2010; while in this season’s continental competition, all four Italian clubs were eliminated before the quarterfinals.
“It’s like we’re not ready for the big match. We’re not ready when it matters … when you need to give that extra … when you have the pressure on,” Salvatore Corso, a 34-year-old Italian who works in a tech startup, said after watching the Italy defeat at a pub in Rome on Tuesday.
Italy’s sport minister asks football chief to step down
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called on Italian soccer federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina to resign.
“It’s evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled,” Abodi said, “and that process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC.”
Added former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi: “Unfortunately the third consecutive elimination from the World Cup is not an April Fool’s joke. It’s a sign that Italian soccer has failed. Soccer isn’t just entertainment in our country; it’s part of our culture and national identity.”
National team neglected
Between the every-four-years failures, the national team gets neglected.
One Italy coach after another has lobbied unsuccessfully for more training camps outside the pre-set FIFA international breaks.
Under pressure from TV rights holders, Serie A consistently refuses to move up matches to give national team players more time to rest before Italy games — as evidenced when a Fiorentina-Inter Milan game featuring multiple Azzurri was held on the Sunday night before the training camp opened for these playoffs hours later on a Monday.
Iraq ends 40-year drought, beat Bolivia to claim final FIFA WC 2026 berth
Monterrey, Apr 1 (IANS): In a historic achievement, Iraq have ended the 40-year-old wait to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a thrilling 2-1 win against Bolivia in the final match of the qualifiers played at the Monterrey Stadium on Wednesday.
Iraq last played the multi-national tournament in 1986, which was also co-hosted by Mexico, but the team could not perform well as they exited from the group stage. And now, after 40 years, they will return to the same place and compete with 47 teams to get their first FIFA World Cup trophy.
Iraq took the early lead in the match when Luton Town striker Amir Al Ammari picked out Al Hamadi from a corner, who nodded his header past the goalkeeper.
However, Bolivia didn’t back down to the pressure as they made a strong comeback in the 38th minute with Moises Paniagua equalizing with a powerful effort from 12 yards following Ramiro Vaca’s defense-splitting pass.
Iraq’s Hussein restored his side’s advantage in the 53rd minute, timing his run to perfection to meet Marko Farji’s cross with a low first-time volley from eight yards.
Bolivia, bidding for its first finals berth since 1994, pushed for a late goal in a tense finish, but Iraq defended resolutely to secure the last of the 48 World Cup spots.
“I’ve got to give so much thanks to the players. Their work ethic, they showed the real Iraqi mentality of fighting and putting their bodies on the line, that’s why we won the game,” Iraq head coach Graham Arnold said after the match.
The 62-year-old, who was Australia’s head coach at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, praised his team’s South American rivals.
“It was a very tough match. Full credit to Bolivia, they played well. Just through the great defending from our players, we defended the crosses really well. That’s why we won the game,” he added.
After losing the match, Bolivia head coach, Oscar Villegas, said, “It’s tough. We wanted to be at this World Cup. We worked hard for it. I’m proud of the players, of their courage, and of the way they fought right to the end. I’m really sorry for our country and for the hopes of the people.”
Iraq has been placed in a tough Group I in the World Cup, where they will face 2022 World Cup runner-ups France, along with Senegal and Norway, in the group stage.
Czechia, Sweden and Turkiye qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi, Apr 1 (IANS): Turkiye, Sweden and Czechia have all secured their places at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after dramatic playoff victories, marking historic returns for each nation.
Turkiye ended a 24-year absence with a narrow win over Kosovo in Pristina. Playing in heavy rain, Turkiye pressed early through Kenan Yildiz and Orkun Kokcu, before Kerem Akturkoglu converted a scrappy effort in the second half to seal the 1-0 victory. The result confirmed their spot in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts USA.
Sweden qualified after edging Poland in a thrilling encounter. Yasin Ayari’s clever flick set up Elanga to smash home the opener, but Poland equalized through Zalewski. Sweden regained the lead via Lagerbielke’s header, only for Poland to level again through Swiderski. Extra time loomed until chaos in Poland’s box saw Gyokeres pounce on a rebound to score the decisive goal. Graham Potter’s side will now join Group F with Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan.
Meanwhile, Czechia booked their return to the World Cup after 20 years, defeating Denmark in a tense penalty shootout in Prague. Michal Sadilek converted the winning spot-kick after Denmark faltered, with Rasmus Hojlund hitting the bar, Matej Kovar saving from Anders Dreyer, and Mathias Jensen blasting over. The preceding 120 minutes had been end-to-end, with both sides trading goals before penalties decided the outcome. Czechia will compete in Group A against Korea Republic, South Africa and co-hosts Mexico.