In the UEFA European play-off Path A final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the four-time champions, the Italian national team, suffered another major setback.
Despite taking the lead, they were ultimately eliminated by the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in a penalty shootout, marking their third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Italy started strongly, controlling possession in the early stages. In the 15th minute, a costly error by Bosnia’s goalkeeper allowed Nicolò Barella to intercept and provide an assist, with Moise Kean calmly finishing to give Italy a 1–0 lead.
However, the turning point came in the 42nd minute. Defender Alessandro Bastoni, as the last man, committed a foul and was shown a straight red card, leaving Italy to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
In the second half, Bosnia intensified its attacking pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 79th minute when Mbaković capitalized on a goalmouth scramble to equalize at 1–1. Neither side managed to score during regular time or extra time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Italy faltered under pressure, converting only one of their first three attempts. Bosnia, on the other hand, remained composed and clinical, securing a 4–1 victory to book their place at the World Cup.
Bosnia Returns to the World Cup After 12 Years
For Bosnia, this victory carries historic significance. The team returns to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, ending a 12-year absence. Notably, veteran striker Edin Džeko, who led the team in their previous appearance, remains part of the squad and has now reached another milestone.
Bosnia has been drawn into Group B, where they will face Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in what promises to be a challenging group stage.
Sweden Edges Poland in Thriller to Qualify
In another play-off final, the Sweden national team secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Poland to return to the World Cup after eight years.
The match was filled with momentum swings. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring before Poland equalized through Zalewski. Sweden regained the lead before halftime, only for Poland to level again in the second half. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when Viktor Gyökeres netted the winner, sealing Sweden’s qualification.
Sweden will make their 13th World Cup appearance and has been placed in Group F alongside Japan, the Netherlands, and Tunisia.
Turkey and the Czech Republic Complete Comebacks
Meanwhile, the Turkish national team also celebrated a long-awaited return. A decisive goal from Kerem Aktürkoğlu secured a 1–0 away victory over Kosovo, sending Turkey to their first World Cup since 2002, where they famously finished third.
In another tightly contested fixture, the Czech Republic national team defeated Denmark via penalties after a 2–2 draw in both regular and extra time. The Czech side won the shootout 3–1, marking their first World Cup qualification since 2006.
A Shift in Global Football Power
This round of European play-offs not only confirmed Italy’s continued absence but also highlighted a shifting landscape in international football. Traditional powerhouses are no longer guaranteed success, while emerging teams such as Bosnia and Turkey are rising to challenge the established order.
As the global game becomes increasingly competitive, the 2026 World Cup is set to showcase new narratives, fresh contenders, and a more unpredictable tournament than ever before.
