Gianluigi Donnarumma urged Italian fans to unite once again after the Azzurri failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup on Tuesday.
After beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the play-off semi-final, Italy traveled to the Stadion Bilino Polje to face Bosnia-Herzegovina, who had beaten Wales on penalties.
Moise Kean had given Gennaro Gattuso’s team the lead in the 15th minute, but Alessandro Bastoni’s direct red card just before half-time turned the game around.
Italy withstood Bosnia’s pressure until the 79th minute, when Haris Tabakovic scored the equalizer, and Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed penalty kicks in the shootout, which sealed a 4-1 victory for Sergej Barbarez’s team on penalties.
The Azzurri will miss the World Cup for the third consecutive edition. Previously, in the history of the competition, this had happened only twice, in 1930 when they did not participate, and in 1958 when they failed to qualify.
Donnarumma has played for Italy since he was 17 and, with his nation’s latest setback, he may not play in his first World Cup until he is 31.
“Last night after the game I cried,” Donnarumma said. “I cried with disappointment for not being able to take Italy to where it deserves to be.
“I cried because of the immense sadness that I feel along with the entire Azzurri squad, of which I am proud to be captain, and that, I know, at this moment, you, followers of our team, are also feeling.
“Now words don’t mean much, it’s true. But there is one thing I feel strongly inside and I want to share with you.
3 – #Italy I will miss the #WorldCup for the third consecutive edition; Previously, in the history of the competition, it had happened only twice (he did not participate in 1930 and did not qualify in 1958). Forgot.#bosniaitaly pic.twitter.com/oBAAhw7nx1
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 31, 2026
“After such a big disappointment, we must find the courage to turn the page once again. And to do so, we need a lot of strength, passion and faith. Always believing.
“That is the engine that drives us forward, because life knows how to reward those who give everything without keeping anything.
“And this is where we must start again. Together. Once again. To bring Italy back to where it deserves to be.”
Gattuso said after the defeat that he would not discuss his future as Italy coach, although that could come to an end soon after Tuesday’s events.
The headquarters of the Italian Football Federation in Rome was vandalized with eggs after the defeat against Bosnia.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina returned to the headquarters on Wednesday and upon his arrival, a fan held a banner urging him to resign.
