Italy miss third straight World Cup as 48-team field is set

Italy lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Zenica, extending their World Cup absence to 12 years.espn
All 48 teams are now confirmed, with Iraq ending a 40-year wait and DR Congo also qualifying via intercontinental playoffs.gulfnews
The expanded tournament kicks off June 11 in Mexico City, featuring 104 matches across 16 stadiums in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.northeasttimes

Italy’s World Cup Heartbreak Completes 48-Team Field for 2026 Tournament

Four-time champions Italy will miss a third consecutive FIFA World Cup after a devastating penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, a result that filled the last remaining European berths and completed the 48-team lineup for the expanded tournament set to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Italy’s Collapse in Zenica

Italy’s campaign ended in agony at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, where a first-half red card to defender Alessandro Bastoni proved fatal. Moise Kean had given the Azzurri an early lead in the 15th minute, but Haris Tabakovic equalized for Bosnia in the 79th, and the match finished 1-1 after extra time. In the shootout, Italian substitutes Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante both failed from the spot, and Esmir Bajraktarevic converted the winning penalty to seal a 4-1 shootout victory for Bosnia.espn

The defeat extends Italy’s absence from football’s biggest stage to 12 years. The Azzurri have not appeared at a World Cup since Brazil 2014, having failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 editions. Bosnia, meanwhile, will make their second World Cup appearance when they take the field in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland.washingtonpost

All 48 Spots Now Filled

Tuesday’s results also settled the final intercontinental playoff places. Iraq secured their first World Cup berth since 1986 by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey, Mexico, ending a 40-year wait. DR Congo also qualified by seeing off Jamaica, returning to the tournament for the first time in over five decades.gulfnews

The six final qualifiers — Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Czech Republic through UEFA playoffs, plus Iraq and DR Congo via the intercontinental route — round out a full field of 48 nations.skysports

The Road to MetLife

The tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 stadiums over 39 days, opening on June 11 when Mexico face South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Among the most anticipated group-stage matchups is Group I, where France will meet Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 14 before facing Norway and Iraq in a group that brings together Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.northeasttimes

The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Questions linger over Iran’s participation in Group G amid the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, with Iran’s sports minister having stated that the national team would not take part, though FIFA has said the team remains welcome.nbcsports