Italy Hoping to Scale World Cup 'Everest' Ahead of Bosnia Play-Off Showdown Italy faces its final hurdle in securing a return to the World Cup as they prepare to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a high-stakes qualification play-off final. The match, set for Tuesday in Zenica, carries immense weight for the Azzurri, who have not qualified for the tournament since 2006. A victory would secure their place in Group B of the 2026 World Cup, alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. The stakes are particularly elevated for Italy, a football powerhouse that has struggled to maintain its former dominance in recent years. Coach Gennaro Gattuso has likened the upcoming clash to climbing the "Everest" due to the immense pressure on his team. The Italian squad, which narrowly avoided elimination in the semi-final against Northern Ireland, will need to deliver a commanding performance to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence. Gattuso emphasized that the match’s significance extends beyond football, as it represents a chance to revive Italy’s global football legacy. The tension surrounding the play-off is compounded by a recent controversy involving Italian players. During Bosnia’s semi-final victory over Wales, a group of Italian players, including full-back Federico Dimarco, were filmed celebrating Bosnia’s penalty-kick win with fist pumps. The gesture sparked backlash from former players and coaches, with Miralem Pjanic, a former Roma and Juventus midfielder, criticizing the team for undermining their chances. Former Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff, a 1982 World Cup winner, also expressed disappointment, stating that the behavior would "further fire up our opponents." Dimarco addressed the controversy publicly, insisting that his actions were not disrespectful to Bosnia or its people.#italy #federico_dimarco #gennaro_gattuso #edin_dzeko #bosnia_and_herzegovina
Italy Veterans Aware 2026 World Cup Is Their 'Last Chance' Italy’s senior players are acutely aware that the 2026 World Cup represents their final opportunity to compete on the global stage, with the team’s generation facing the prospect of missing out on the tournament for the third consecutive time. The Azzurri’s recent 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoff semifinals has set up a crucial showdown against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, where the winner will secure a spot in Group B of the upcoming tournament. The stakes are high, as Italy has not qualified for the World Cup since 2018, with a painful exit to Uruguay in 2014 and subsequent failures in the qualifying playoffs for the last two editions of the competition. For players like winger Matteo Politano, the pressure is palpable. At 32, Politano has never played in a World Cup despite two Serie A titles with Napoli. He acknowledges that time is running out for his generation, stating, “We all know what we’re playing for. For me, and for a few of the other senior players, it’s probably our last chance.” This sentiment is echoed by defenders who must confront a familiar challenge: containing Bosnia’s 40-year-old forward Edin Dzeko, a player they have faced in club settings. Dzeko, who has scored 73 international goals, including a headed equalizer against Wales in a penalty shootout, poses a significant threat due to his physicality and aerial ability. Dzeko’s history with Italy’s defenders adds another layer to the matchup. He was a teammate of Gianluca Mancini, Riccardo Calafiori, and Alessandro Bastoni during their time at AS Roma from 2015 to 2021. Dzeko later joined Inter Milan, where he played alongside Bastoni in the squad that reached the 2023 Champions League final.#italy #edin_dzeko #bosnia_and_herzegovina #matteo_politano #gianluca_mancini
Edin Dzeko's public revolt against Bosnia that threatened to derail World Cup play-off hopes When Wales face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final, the Bosnian captain Edin Dzeko will be seeking his final opportunity to compete at a major tournament. The 37-year-old striker, who has represented his country in two previous World Cup campaigns, is determined to lead his team in their quest for a place at the 2022 World Cup. Bosnia’s hopes rested on a November double-header against Romania and Austria, with two wins potentially securing direct qualification. A strong performance in either match could also guarantee a play-off spot. However, tensions arose before the home game against Romania as two fan groups, BHFanaticos and Ljuti Krajišnica, were denied access to tickets by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation. The decision sparked outrage among Dzeko and his teammates, prompting the former Manchester City striker to take a public stand. On social media, he demanded the federation reconsider its stance, emphasizing the importance of fan support during a crucial phase for the national team. “With loyal fan support from the stands, which we really need at this important moment for the national team, the players will do their best on the field to achieve a favourable result,” he wrote. “We are all going to defend the colours of our homeland on our front.” The federation eventually reversed its decision, allowing the fan groups to attend the match. Bosnia’s 15,000-capacity Bilino Polje Stadium welcomed over 11,000 supporters for the game against Romania. Despite a first-half goal by Daniel Birligea giving the visitors an early lead, Dzeko and his teammates responded swiftly.#bilino_polje_stadium #edin_dzeko #bosnia_and_herzegovina_football_federation #bhfanaticos #ljuti_krajinica
Edin Dzeko set for UK return after Andre Onana bust-up and huge Bosnia fallout Edin Dzeko, the veteran striker, is preparing to lead Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final against Wales, marking what could be his final chance to compete in a major tournament. The 40-year-old, who previously played for Manchester City, is set to return to the UK for the match at Cardiff City Stadium. His journey back to the national team has been marked by controversy, including a high-profile clash with fellow player Andre Onana and disputes over fan access to matches. Dzeko’s return to the UK comes after a contentious period in Bosnia’s qualifying campaign. Earlier in the season, he sparked a debate when he publicly criticized the country’s football federation over ticket allocation for fan groups. Ahead of a crucial November double-header against Romania and Austria, two fan organizations—BHFanaticos and Ljuti Krajišnica—were denied entry to the home match against Romania in Zenica. Dzeko took to social media to demand the decision be reversed, emphasizing the importance of fan support for the national team. He wrote, “On behalf of my teammates and on my own behalf, I DEMAND the Federation to reconsider its decision and provide tickets for fan groups that have supported the BiH national team for years.” The match against Romania saw over 11,000 fans at the Bilino Polje Stadium, a 15,000-capacity venue. Bosnia trailed early in the game after a goal from Daniel Birligea, but Dzeko equalized just minutes into the second half. Esmir Bajraktarevic then put Bosnia ahead with 11 minutes remaining, and Haris Tabakovic secured the win with a last-minute goal. This victory kept Bosnia in the running for a World Cup spot, though they faced a tough path forward.#edin_dzeko #bosniaherzegovina #andre_onana #cardiff_city_stadium #bilino_polje_stadium
