Italy's National Team Suffers Defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Players Wanted to Discuss Bonuses Before World Cup 2026 Match, But Coach Refused

Before the decisive playoff match for the World Cup, where Italy's national team met Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Italian players expressed a desire to discuss the issue of financial bonuses for qualifying for the World Cup. According to Football Italia, the players were seeking a bonus of 300,000 euros each for the opportunity to participate in the global football forum, which would amount to approximately 10,000 euros per player.

However, head coach Gennaro Gattuso refused to continue negotiations, stating that discussions about bonuses could only take place after official confirmation of qualification for the World Cup. This decision raised concerns among the players, as they believed that a financial incentive could enhance their motivation ahead of the crucial match.

Unfortunately, Italy was unable to achieve the desired result and ultimately lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the team's third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup. This defeat sparked widespread resonance within football circles, as Italy, with its rich football heritage, once again found itself unable to compete on the world stage.

Previously, it was reported that Gennaro Gattuso, following the team's disappointing performance, decided to step down as head coach of the Italian national team. This news dealt another blow to Italian fans who had hoped for positive changes within the squad. Additionally, the president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, also announced his resignation, underscoring the seriousness of the situation within the football association.

After the national team's fiasco, legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also announced his resignation from the position of head of the Italian delegation. This indicates that the situation within the team requires radical changes, and many former players and officials recognize the need for renewal.

The last time Italy participated in the World Cup was in 2014 when the team, under the guidance of head coach Cesare Prandelli, failed to advance from the group stage. Since then, Italy has not appeared in the World Cup playoffs, which has been a significant blow to its supporters. The Italian national team has won the World Cup four times—in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006—but the current situation appears extremely bleak.

It is noteworthy that the Italian national team has set a unique negative record, becoming the first team to fail to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin expressed his views on the reasons behind Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, pointing to the need for changes within the team's structure.

According to media reports, head coach Gennaro Gattuso intends to leave the team following the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Among the potential candidates to replace him are Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, who are currently managing Napoli and AC Milan, respectively. This indicates that the Italian football community is actively seeking new solutions to restore the former glory of the national team.