Italy World Cup miss a 'disaster,' says Sunday Oliseh

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has spoken candidly about Italy’s latest World Cup heartbreak, admitting he could not hide his emotions as one of football’s traditional powerhouses stumbled yet again.

The former Nigeria midfielder, who understands the magnitude of the global showpiece, expressed deep concern after watching a nation with such rich pedigree fall short for a third consecutive tournament.

Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 finals ended in familiar anguish, losing 4–1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina following a 1–1 draw in their European play-off. Reduced to ten men in the second half, the Azzurri showed resilience to force extra time but ultimately crumbled in the shootout, extending an unthinkable run of World Cup absences.

Oliseh believes the setback reflects a deeper, systemic decline that has left the four-time world champions struggling to replicate their historic standards.

“Watching this World Cup play-off final for Italy is a nightmare,” he wrote on X.

“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 disaster for the soul of Italian football.

“The team looks broken. The players lack confidence, they seem to have lost their edge at the highest level, and the talent pool does not look the same. Having played in Italy myself, I can say I have never seen an Italian side perform this poorly. I feel for my friends in Italy—this is deeply troubling.”

Oliseh’s reaction carries added significance given his own history against the Azzurri.

At the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he was part of the Nigerian side that pushed Italy to the brink in the round of 16, only for Roberto Baggio to inspire a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory.

For decades, Italy stood as a benchmark at the World Cup, winning four titles—1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006—and building a reputation defined by tactical discipline, defensive solidity and an uncanny ability to deliver in decisive moments. From the heroics of Paolo Rossi in 1982 to their defensive masterclass in 2006, their identity was unmistakable.

They also reached the finals in 1970 and 1994 and were rarely peripheral when they qualified. Even their 2006 triumph remains one of the most efficient campaigns in tournament history, conceding just two goals throughout the competition.

However, the years since that success have told a different story. Early exits in 2010 and 2014 signalled underlying issues, while failures to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions confirmed a deeper malaise. Missing out again in 2026 only reinforces the growing perception that Italy have slipped from their place among football’s elite.

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