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When asked before Arsenal’s win over Everton how the upcoming international break might affect his squad, Mikel Arteta stressed the club’s “good communication” with national team coaches and promised to make “the right decisions” after assessing each player’s condition. That cautious optimism was quickly shattered. Following the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, a cascade of withdrawals began. William Saliba pulled out of France’s squad with a left‑ankle injury, and Jurriën Timber missed the Netherlands call‑up due to a lingering groin problem. Within 24 hours, Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil) and Leandro Trossard (Belgium) also withdrew, while Eberechi Eze was forced out of England duty because of a calf strain that kept him out of the cup final. Captain Martin Ødegaard, still recovering from a previous ankle‑ligament injury sustained on international duty, did not feature in the final and subsequently withdrew from Norway’s squad. Arsenal’s injury list continued to grow on Friday when Noni Maduke (England) and Piero Hincapié (Ecuador) limped out of their respective friendlies. Both are doubtful for the FA Cup clash with Southampton at St Mary’s, though the club hopes they may return sooner. Mid‑week, Martín Zubimendi became the eleventh Arsenal player to pull out of an international roster, citing pain in his left knee. The Spain midfielder has logged more Premier League minutes than any Arsenal player this season, edging out Declan Rice and Jurriën Timber. Despite the setbacks, Viktor Gyökeres showed full commitment to Sweden, scoring a hat‑trick in the play‑off against Ukraine and later netting the decisive goal against Poland. By contrast, Riccardo Calafiori returns to London after Italy’s 120‑minute defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a match that highlighted Italy’s ongoing World Cup qualification woes. Arteta’s dilemma mirrors the challenges faced by Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 2000s, when the Manchester United legend famously limited his players’ international minutes. The modern Arsenal squad, arguably one of the deepest in Premier League history, now faces a delicate balancing act: preserving player fitness while competing on three fronts – the league, the FA Cup, and the Champions League quarter‑final against Sporting Lisbon next week in Portugal. With the club already having contested over 50 matches this season and potentially adding another 15 if they reach both cup finals, the psychological impact of another major‑trophy loss could be significant. Arteta will need his remaining fit players to step up and deliver, or risk seeing the season’s ambitions slip away.

Italy awoke on Wednesday in a state of anger and disbelief after the Azzurri were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification by a 4-1 penalty shoot‑out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a 1‑1 draw in regular time.The loss represents the third straight playoff elimination for Italy – previous setbacks came against Sweden and North Macedonia – and has revived what the front page of Corriere della Sera dubbed the "World Cup curse."Italian media, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, echoed the sentiment with headlines proclaiming “We’re all staying at home,” underscoring the depth of national disappointment.Key moments in the match included a red card for Alessandro Bastoni in the 42nd minute for a last‑man tackle, a turning point that shifted momentum despite Italy leading at the time.Fans expressed their shock and frustration: "Everything went badly from the start of the match. The team wasn’t good, players out of form… it makes no sense," said Davide Caldaretta, a spectator in a Rome pub, to Reuters.Melanie Cardillo, also speaking to Reuters, described herself as “really upset and disappointed,” adding that the repeated failures have eroded hope.Beyond football, Italy recently celebrated a record 30 medals at the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics and 40 medals at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, highlighting the country's broader sporting prowess, from speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida to tennis champion Jannik Sinner.Nevertheless, the football debacle prompted a political backlash. Sport Minister Andrea Abodi called on FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to resign, stating, "Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, starting with changes at the top of the FIGC."Gravina refused to step down, noting that a board meeting next week will determine his future. Tensions have risen between the government and the federation, with Gravina accusing the state of treating football as a "state sport" while favoring other disciplines.Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi weighed in, calling the elimination “unfortunately not an April Fool’s joke” and emphasizing that football is integral to Italy’s cultural identity.In response to Gravina’s remarks, speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida posted sarcastically on Instagram, "I’m an amateur," underscoring the broader debate over responsibility for the missed qualification.As Italy prepares for the next board meeting, the nation faces a pivotal moment: whether to overhaul its football governance or continue grappling with a perceived "curse" that has kept the Azzurri out of the world stage for three consecutive cycles.

Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a dramatic victory over Italy in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match, winning the tie on penalties after regular time ended in a draw. The win knocked Italy out of contention for the upcoming tournament.The original match report has been archived; a concise summary is provided here, with a link to the full Al Jazeera Sport article for readers seeking detailed analysis.For the complete match report, visit Al Jazeera Sport's coverage.

Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, has failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals for the first time. They were reduced to 10 men in the first half of normal time after Alessandro Bastoni saw red for a professional foul. Despite taking the lead through Moise Kean's fine finish, Italy couldn't hold on and were eventually beaten in the shootout.Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout win. Esmir Bajraktarevic hit the winning spot kick in Zenica, sending the home crowd into delirium. This will be Bosnia's second World Cup appearance, and their first since 2014.In another qualifying playoff, Czechia also secured their place in the 2026 World Cup by beating Denmark in a shootout following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Michal Sadilek's penalty was the decisive blow, sending Czechia to their first World Cup since 2006.

Italy's 10-man team failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout, marking another disappointing performance for the four-time World Cup winners.The Italian team's over-reliance on defensive tactics, known as Catenaccio, was evident in the match, as they went a goal up and a man down, only to be equalized by Bosnia and Herzegovina with 11 minutes remaining.The Italian press reacted with anger and frustration, with headlines like 'VIA TUTTI!' (Everyone out!) and criticism from coach Rino Gattuso, who expressed pride in his team's performance despite the loss.In contrast, Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrated their historic win, with Edin Dzeko leading a late-night sing-song on social media.The loss has sparked renewed criticism of Italy's approach to the game, with some questioning their ability to adapt and innovate.

Italy’s national team endured a 4‑1 penalty‑shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup 2026 qualifying playoff, confirming a third consecutive failure to reach the finals. The loss, described by Italian media as a “World Cup curse” and a “Third apocalypse,” has reverberated far beyond the stadium. Valentino del Duca, a restaurant worker in Rome, summed up the mood: “We are a population of failures. End of story.” His sentiment echoed across the capital, where fans like Gabriele Alfano lamented the missed opportunity after a hopeful win over Northern Ireland the week before. Alfano pointed to a deeper issue: “Italian football is no longer producing young talent. I remember streets full of kids playing ball; now they’re more into tennis,” he said, referencing Jannik Sinner’s recent Miami Masters triumph. The sporting disaster quickly became a political flashpoint. The League party, part of Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, called the outcome “an unacceptable disgrace” and demanded the resignation of federation president Gabriele Gravina. Former prime minister Matteo Renzi added that the repeated eliminations signal a systemic failure, noting that football is “part of our culture and national identity.” Long‑time resident Gustavo Sosa, originally from Argentina, observed that Italy’s loss of composure after being reduced to ten men highlighted a loss of “rigour” and “hunger” that mirrors concerns in his native country. Sports minister Andrea Abodi warned that the sport must be “rebuilt,” expressing sorrow for a generation of children who may never experience a World Cup. Some Italians, like Lucia Severi, suggested shifting attention to other disciplines, citing the country’s success in tennis and athletics. The defeat starkly contrasts with the euphoria of July 2021, when Italy won the Euro 2020 final on penalties—a moment once seen as a reversal of fortunes after missing the 2018 World Cup. Yet that optimism proved fleeting, as the Azzurri also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament. As the nation grapples with this latest setback, the debate intensifies over how to revive Italian football, nurture grassroots participation, and restore the pride once associated with the Azzurri’s international successes.

Italy’s World Cup hopes were extinguished on March 31, 2026, when Bosnia and Herzegovina won the playoff final on penalties, marking the Azzurri’s third successive failure to qualify for the tournament. The defeat follows two recent setbacks – a surprise loss to North Macedonia in 2022 and a two‑legged defeat by Sweden in 2021 – underscoring a growing crisis for a nation that once celebrated four World Cup triumphs. In a dramatic encounter in Sarajevo, Moise Kean opened the scoring in the 60th minute, giving Italy an early lead. However, the advantage was short‑lived; a red card for Alessandro Bastoni just before halftime reduced Italy to ten men, and Haris Tabaković equalised in the 79th minute. The match proceeded to extra time, where both sides failed to find a winner, setting the stage for a penalty shootout. During the shootout, Bosnia displayed composure, converting four of four penalties. Italy faltered, with Francesco Esposito blasting over the bar and Bryan Cristante striking the cross‑bar, handing the hosts a 4‑2 shootout victory and a place at this summer’s World Cup. Post‑match, Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso described the result as “difficult to digest” and issued a personal apology, acknowledging that the Azzurri are now “the only former champion not to qualify for this edition.” Beyond the scoreline, the game highlighted Italy’s tactical vulnerabilities: early nervousness, a loss of midfield control after Bastoni’s dismissal, and an inability to capitalize on chances despite a dominant possession spell. Bosnia, meanwhile, showed resilience, maintaining pressure throughout and ultimately rewarding it in the decisive shootout. The outcome reshapes the European qualification landscape. Bosnia and Herzegovina secure their first World Cup appearance since 2014, while Italy faces renewed scrutiny over its footballing direction, with calls for structural reforms echoing the fallout from their 2018 “apocalypse” miss.

Italy's national team secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, significantly enhancing their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The win sets up a playoff final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, with a victory guaranteeing Italy a spot in the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.Italy's coach, Gennaro Gattuso, acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, 'We made life a bit difficult for ourselves, but in the second half we found our rhythm.' He emphasized the importance of the upcoming final, noting that both teams will feel the tension.In other playoff matches, Kosovo will host Turkiye after Kosovo's thrilling 4-3 win over Slovakia and Turkiye's 1-0 victory over Romania. Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Denmark also won their semifinals, setting up additional playoff matches.The 2026 World Cup, featuring an expanded 48 teams, offers more nations a chance to qualify. Twelve European countries have already secured spots through group stage wins, while the playoffs involve second-placed teams and those who performed well in the Nations League.

Wales and Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were dashed on Friday as both teams suffered defeats in their playoff semi-finals. Wales lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Ireland was beaten by the Czech Republic. The losses mean both teams will not feature in the upcoming World Cup, with Ireland facing a minimum of 28 years between appearances.The double-screening pain was palpable for fans, with both matches featuring penalty shootouts that ended in heartbreak. Dan James gave Wales the lead against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but they ultimately lost in a shootout. Ireland, on the other hand, went 2-0 up inside 23 minutes against the Czech Republic but also ended in defeat.The losses have left both teams facing a long wait for their next World Cup appearance. For Ireland, it will be a minimum of 28 years, while Wales' wait continues after their last appearance in 2022. The teams will now face friendlies, with Wales set to host Northern Ireland.In other news, Roy Hodgson's return to management with Bristol City has been hailed as 'sensational'. The 78-year-old former England manager has decided to have another crack at it after leaving Crystal Palace.Meanwhile, Iran's men's team paid tribute before their friendly against Nigeria by holding school bags in memory of the victims of a school bombing in Minab, southern Iran, which killed between 175 and 180 people, most of them girls between the ages of seven and 12.