Italy fails to qualify for third consecutive World Cup following loss to Bosnia

The Italian national football team has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, marking a significant decline since their 2006 tournament victory. The latest blow occurred following a loss to Bosnia in Zenica, a match which saw the expulsion of defender Alessandro Bastoni. The team's performance throughout the qualification process has been characterized by inconsistency, lack of cohesion, and internal struggles. Analysts suggest this crisis is linked to the long-term decline of the domestic Serie A league compared to other European competitions. This follows earlier high-profile qualification failures against Sweden and North Macedonia. Critics note that the current state of the squad reflects broader structural issues within Italian football. The result has sparked widespread debate regarding the future of the team's identity and management.