The Digest: Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has described Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as a "total disaster for the soul of Italian football." The Azzurri lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw, marking their third consecutive World Cup absence. Oliseh, who played against Italy at the 1994 World Cup, said he has "never seen an Italian team play this poorly" and noted the team looks "broken" with players lacking confidence. Italy last won the World Cup in 2006.
Ket Points:
- Italy missed their third straight World Cup after losing to Bosnia on penalties.
- Oliseh called the failure a "total disaster" and "genuinely heartbreaking."
- He said he has never seen an Italian team play this poorly in his life.
- Italy's decline follows group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014.
- Oliseh played against Italy in the 1994 World Cup round of 16.
As Italy's footballing decline deepens with a third consecutive World Cup absence, Oliseh's emotional reaction underscores the fall of a once-dominant force in global football.
Sources: Soccernet, Pulse Sports
