Italy could still qualify for 2026 World Cup despite Bosnia defeat
Italy could still qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs.
Azzurri suffered a penalty shootout defeat in Zenica on Tuesday, with Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missing from the spot.
Bosnia, in contrast, were perfect from the spot, netting all four of their penalties.
It means that Italy have failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, having not even won a knockout game since they lifted the 2006 World Cup.
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Gennaro Gattuso said last year that, if Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 edition under his management, he would 'move away from Italy'.
But he and his team may have one more opportunity to make the World Cup.
That relates to the ongoing war in Iran, with the Middle East side having been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
Iran's sports minister claimed last month that they would participate 'under no circumstances' after its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israel airstrike.
Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US and Israel military bases across the West Region of the Middle East, which caused mass airspace closures and threatened Iraq's travel to Mexico for their intercontinental World Cup play-off, which they eventually won on Tuesday by defeating Bolivia 2-1.
As things stand, both Iraq and Iran will play at the tournament despite the continuation of conflict across the Middle East.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino even confirmed on Tuesday that Iran would play their matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the political situation involving the two countries.
If Iran withdraw, Article 6.2 of FIFA's regulations states that they would be replaced 'with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation'.
The scenario in that case, therefore, would likely be that Iran would be replaced by the United Arab Emirates, who reached the Asian play-off stage before losing to Iraq.
But FIFA can adjudicate the matter at its 'sole discretion'.
Therefore, there is a very slim chance - and a hypothetical one, at this stage - that it could choose to call up an alternative team, with Italy the highest-ranked team not already qualified if FIFA go down that particular route.
There would no doubt be tensions among associations from other continents at the prospect of including an additional European team, however.
Speculation surrounding that possibility originated from ex-Manchester United reserve boss Rene Meulensteen, who is currently assistant manager of Iraq.
Speaking prior to their inter-confederation play-off last month, he told talkSPORT: "Through the AFC, we are the highest-ranked team. So we would then take Iran's place. And then UAE might step in to replace us to play the winner of Suriname and Bolivia.
"But there's also rumours that if FIFA makes the final decision, they might push the highest-ranked FIFA team to replace Iran, which is Italy."
SPORTbible have contacted FIFA for comment.
Topics: Italy, FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Football
Ryan Smart