Former Real Madrid head coach Fabio Capello commented on Italy’s sensational failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
According to Capello, this result is unacceptable for a national team with such prestige and history.
“We are talking about a national team that has won the World Cup four times, this is a sporting tragedy, a disgrace,” Capello told Marca (via Yahoo Sports).
“It is one of the worst things that has happened to Italian football in its recent history.”
The Italian national team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 1-4 on penalties) in the final playoff match of Path A for the right to play in the 2026 World Cup.
Italy last played in the World Cup in 2014. The team then finished third in Group D with Costa Rica, Uruguay, and England.
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19. It will be hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Argentina is the current world champion, having defeated then-World Cup holder France in the 2022 World Cup final (3-3, 4-2 pen).
