Four-time champions Italy national football team failed to qualify for a third straight FIFA World Cup after losing to host Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team 4-1 on penalties in Zenica on Tuesday.

Moise Kean gave Italy an early lead, but Azzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the 41st minute with a direct red card. Bosnia’s Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th minute, sending the match into extra time, where neither side scored.

In the penalty shootout, Italy’s Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed crucial spot kicks, while U.S.-born Esmir Bajraktarević converted the decisive penalty for Bosnia, securing their historic qualification. This marks only Bosnia’s second World Cup appearance, their first since 2014.

Italy becomes the first former champions to miss three consecutive World Cups, with none of the current squad having ever played at the tournament. The team’s last World Cup appearances were in 2010 and 2014, failing to advance past the group stage.

Elsewhere, the Czech Republic secured their 2026 World Cup spot after a second penalty shootout victory in six days against Denmark, while Sweden and Turkey advanced in regular time against Poland and Kosovo, respectively.

This dramatic exit underscores the changing landscape of international football and a historic moment for both Italy and Bosnia.