Bosnia and Herzegovina advance to FIFA World Cup, denying Italy a spot yet again
Italy is denied a spot in the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive tournament
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia & Herzegovina celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images Italy’s World Cup hopes came down to a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a FIFA Playoff Qualifier. Those same hopes came to a crashing halt on the wrong end of a 4-1 penalty shootout.
Bosnia and Herzegovina equalized in the closing stages of regulation, and following extra time, the teams advanced to a penalty shootout with a spot in Group B of this summer’s FIFA World Cup on the line. And in the shootout, Bosnia converted their first three attempts while Italy missed two of theirs, giving the home team a chance to book their spot in the World Cup on the fourth attempt. It was up to Esmir Bajraktarevic, known as the “Milwaukee Messi.
” Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, he stepped up to the spot and put Bosnia and Herzegovina into the World Cup: 🇧🇦 ✅✅✅✅ 🇮🇹 ❌✅❌ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 😱 pic. twitter.
com/9KLVVPIUfI — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026 The converted penalty touched off a wild celebration at Bilino Polje Stadium, and denied Italy a spot in the World Cup for the third consecutive time. With the elimination, Italy is officially the highest-ranked team not to qualify for the World Cup. Entering play on Tuesday, Italy was ranked 12th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings .