But who would have thought it! Italy has once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. The Squadra Azzurra were defeated on penalties by Bosnia in the final of the European playoffs on Tuesday , March 31, 2026. This defeat marks the end of a long downward spiral for the Italian national team.

It should not be recalled that the Nazionale had already failed to qualify in the playoffs for the two previous World Cups (2018 and 2022).

"I feel something strongly and I want to share it with you."

Devastated by this latest disappointment, Manchester City's Italian goalkeeper , Gianluigi Donnarumma, let his sorrow explode on Instagram.

“I cried after the match. I cried from disappointment at not having led Italy to where it deserves to be. I cried from sadness, like the entire Azzurri team, of which I am proud to be the captain. And I know that you, the supporters of our national team, feel the same way,” wrote the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper. He nevertheless called for a renewed sense of purpose.

"You must always believe in it; it's the driving force of progress."

“Words fail me , it’s true. But I feel something strongly, and I want to share it with you: after this immense disappointment, we must find the courage to turn the page. And that requires a great deal of strength, passion, and conviction. We must always believe; that’s the driving force of progress. Because life rewards those who give their all, without holding back. And that’s precisely where we must start again.”

"Together. Once again. To bring Italy back to where it belongs," he wrote.

It is worth remembering that Italy's last participation in a World Cup dates back to 2014.