Bosnia-Herzegovina advanced to the 2026 World Cup by beating Italy 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Zenica. Moise Kean gave Italy an early lead, but Haris Tabaković equalized late, and Bosnia held firm in extra time. Italy's Alessandro Bastoni was sent off before halftime, marking another failure to qualify for the tournament.
Italy took the lead in the 15th minute when Moise Kean bent a first-time finish into the top corner after Nicolo Barella intercepted a poor clearance from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. The visitors survived early pressure but saw their task grow harder when Alessandro Bastoni received a red card in the 41st minute for fouling Amar Memic as the last defender following a misplaced goal-kick from Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bosnia responded well, with chances from Ivan Basic and Nikola Katic, and Ermedin Demirovic heading wide from Esmir Bajraktarevic's cross. In the second half, Kerim Alajbegovic tested Donnarumma, while Kean missed a golden opportunity by firing over from inside his own half. Bosnia leveled in the 79th minute when Haris Tabaković prodded in the rebound after Donnarumma saved Edin Dzeko's shot from Amar Dedic's cross. Italy had the edge in extra time, with Pio Esposito denied by Vasilj, but referee Clement Turpin showed only a yellow to Tarik Muharemovic for a foul on Marco Palestra. In the shootout, Esposito blazed over, Bryan Cristante hit the crossbar, and Bajraktarevic's kick beat Donnarumma to secure Bosnia's place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. Italy, under coach Gennaro Gattuso, became the first former champions to miss three successive World Cups, extending their absence since 2014.
