Overview
- Bosnia and Herzegovina secured qualification in Zenica after Tuesday's 1-1 draw and a 4-1 win in the penalty shootout.
- Moise Kean put Italy ahead in the 15th minute before Alessandro Bastoni’s first‑half red card turned the match, and Haris Tabakovic leveled late in the second half.
- Sandro Tonali was the only Italian to convert from the spot, with Pio Esposito shooting over and Bryan Cristante hitting the bar, and U.S.-born Esmir Bajraktarevic scored the clincher for Bosnia.
- Italy became the first former champions to miss three straight World Cups, and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma said he cried after the defeat.
- Sweden, Czechia and Turkiye also sealed European berths, DR Congo and Iraq won intercontinental playoffs, and the World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 across North America.