Former Juventus midfielder and ex-Nigeria manager Sunday Oliseh has offered a scathing assessment of Italy’s failure to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, characterizing the situation as a catastrophe for the sport. The Mediterranean powerhouse, historically one of the most formidable forces in global football with four titles to their name, saw their aspirations dismantled in a dramatic European play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The encounter, which culminated in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat, ensures that the Azzurri will be absent from the world stage for an unprecedented third consecutive tournament.
The veteran technician expressed his dismay on Wednesday, suggesting that the current Italian setup has lost its identity and the technical excellence that once defined it. This latest setback marks a staggering decline for a nation that last tasted global glory in 2006 after a memorable final against France. Oliseh posited that the structural and psychological issues within the squad run deeper than a single poor performance, signaling a profound crisis in the national footballing philosophy.
Taking to the social media platform X to share his reaction, the former Super Eagles coach did not hold back in his critique of the team’s current state and the emotional toll on the fans.
“Watching this World Cup play-off final for Italy is a nightmare.
“It is genuinely heartbreaking to see what happens to a great football nation when they miss back-to-back World Cups. Seeing them eliminated by Bosnia and missing out for a third straight time is more than just a bad game; it is a total disaster for the soul of Italian football.
“The team looks broken. The players have no confidence, they look like they’ve forgotten how to play at the top level, and the talent just isn’t there anymore.”
