The Italian national team has once again missed out on the world’s biggest football event, raising questions about the future of European giants and shifting the balance of power on the international stage. For Spanish fans, this is not just a reason to reflect on their favorites’ prospects but also a chance to see new faces and unexpected scenarios at the upcoming championship. The change in tournament participants could affect the distribution of power and interest in the matches, as well as the economy and tourism of the host countries.
This time, the battle for 2026 World Cup spots proved especially intense. The Italians, considered favorites in the play-off matches, were defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who now head to their second ever World Cup. Bosnia has joined Group B, where they will face Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. For Italy, this marks a third consecutive failure to qualify for the world championship, sparking heated debates among experts and fans.
Unexpected heroes
Turkey also secured a place in the tournament, outplaying their opponents in decisive matches. Arda Güler’s team will now fight for a place in the knockout stage from Group D, where they will meet the USA, Paraguay, and Australia. Czechia earned their spot after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Denmark and have been drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa. These results surprised many analysts, as the favorites made way for less decorated teams.
In another playoff match, Sweden and Poland fought for the last European ticket, but luck turned away from Robert Lewandowski and his team. Poland lost 2-3, marking another high-profile exit of a strong national team.
Intercontinental Playoffs
The intercontinental matches for a place at the 2026 World Cup were also fiercely contested. The Republic of the Congo qualified for a world tournament for the first time in history, defeating Jamaica by a narrow margin in extra time. The African team will now play in Group K against Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. This achievement is historic for the country and sparked a wave of joy among its fans.
The final vacant spot went to Iraq, who won a tense match against Bolivia 2-1. For Iraq, this is only their second World Cup appearance after a long break since 1986. The team will join the other participants in the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Azteca Stadium (now Banorte). The final is scheduled for July 19 at Metlife Stadium.
Tournament Overview
As russpain.com notes, the expansion to 48 teams makes the tournament more open to new football stories and unexpected results. For Spain, this is an opportunity to see new national teams on the world stage, which could increase interest in broadcasts and the development of football infrastructure. At the same time, the absence of giants like Italy changes the usual scenario and adds intrigue to the competition for the trophy.
In recent years, World Cups have delivered more surprises: at the 2018 tournament, Germany failed to make it out of the group stage, and at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco and Croatia achieved sensational results. The emergence of new contenders and unexpected exits of favorites are becoming the norm, fueling interest in the tournament and making it less predictable. In the coming months, fans will be watching closely as teams prepare and finalize their squads, knowing that any match could become historic.
