For millions of fans around the world, this is a moment they never imagined witnessing: the iconic Italian national team failing to qualify for the World Cup. As one of the most successful teams in tournament history, Italy has lifted the trophy four times—1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006—trailing only Brazil and tied with Germany. Yet, after a tense 0-0 home draw against Sweden in the playoff round, the Azzurri were eliminated with an aggregate score of 0-1, marking the first time in 60 years they will miss football’s greatest spectacle.
This shocking result means Italy won’t be part of the final tournament—a scenario that hasn’t occurred since 1958. Ironically, that edition was also hosted in Sweden, the same nation that now delivered this crushing blow. Between 1934 and 2014, Italy qualified for 18 of the 20 World Cups, missing only the inaugural tournament and the 1958 edition. With 14 consecutive appearances now halted, this ends one of football’s longest participation streaks.
The global football community reacted with disbelief. England legend Gary Lineker tweeted, “It’s hard to imagine a World Cup without Italy. In my lifetime, it’s never happened—until now.” His words echo the sentiments of many fans, including the newer generation who have only known the Azzurri as World Cup regulars. BD Cricket fans in Bangladesh and abroad also took to social media, expressing similar shock over a tournament minus one of its traditional powerhouses.
Paolo Maldini, one of Italy’s most respected former defenders, also voiced his disbelief. Reflecting on the gravity of the moment, he recalled the high pressure of the 1997 playoff against Russia and emphasized how surreal it feels to have Italy absent from the world stage. “It’s going to be very strange,” Maldini admitted, “and very painful for the whole country.”
Statistically, Italy had a solid qualifying campaign with seven wins, two draws, and just one loss across ten group-stage matches. In most previous years, their 23-point haul would have comfortably secured qualification. Unfortunately, they were drawn into the same group as Spain, who delivered an almost flawless performance with nine wins and one draw, sealing automatic qualification with 28 points. That left Italy to fight through the playoff—where they fell just short.
For many BD Cricket enthusiasts who admire European football alongside local matches, Italy’s absence reshapes expectations for the tournament. While Italy may regroup and come back stronger in the next four-year cycle, this result signals the end of an era. Longtime captain Gianluigi Buffon, aged 39, had already planned to retire after this World Cup. With the team failing to make it to Russia, his farewell arrives sooner than expected—closing a legendary chapter in Italian football.
As the world gears up for a World Cup without Italy, fans from BD Cricket circles and beyond will no doubt feel the void. For now, all eyes will turn to the rising stars tasked with carrying the Azzurri legacy into the future, and perhaps, restoring it to its former glory.