Italy's World Cup Reset: Penalty Exit in 2026 and a Nostalgic Look at the 2014 Brazil Lineup
31 March 2026
Italy's World Cup Setback
Italy's bid to reach the 2026 World Cup ended in heartbreak after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a penalty shootout that went to the hosts and kept the drought alive.
Italy's World Cup drought and past glories
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, extending a difficult period since their last appearance in 2014. The Azurri have struggled to recapture the late-2000s and early-2010s form that previously carried them to multiple global crowns.
Italy's last World Cup appearance came in 2014 in Brazil, where they beat England 2-1 but exited the tournament in the group stage after losses to Costa Rica and Uruguay, both 1-0.
In the controversial last World Cup match against Uruguay in June 2014, Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini, a moment that entered football folklore for all the wrong reasons.
Last Italy lineup in a World Cup: Buffon in goal; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli in defense; Darmian, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, De Sciglio in midfield; Balotelli and Immobile leading the line. On the bench: Parolo, Cassano, Motta. Since then, many have retired or moved into coaching, analysis, or football administration.
Italy will wait four more years to try to end the World Cup qualification drought, a chapter that has frustrated fans even as the nation recalls its four World Cup titles.
And now for a couple of light zingers to wrap it up: Italy’s quest for a new World Cup chapter might need a sequel, because this one clearly hasn’t finished yet. If persistence counts, Italy’s perseverance will be the punchline of the next edition!
