The European champion won't be in the country this winter.
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing to North Macedonia in a European playoff.
The Italians were left out of the second World Cup after Trajkovski's injury-time goal stunned them.
ESPN FC @ESPNFCNORTH MACEDONIA!!! ONE OF THE GREAT UPSETS OF ALL TIME 🤯
AS IT STANDS, ITALY ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP! pic.twitter.com/DBRBcUhZC5
The winner of the North Macedonia and Portugal match will get a spot in the World Cup.
The Italian men have won four World Cup titles and two European crowns.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoLast Italy’s World Cup game was June 15, 2014. Group stage vs England. 2839 days ago.Last Italy’s World Cup knockout game was July 9, 2006. Final vs France (!). 5737 days ago.
Next one: 2026? 🇮🇹 #Italy
After the Azzurri failed, Twitter had its take.
Jimmy Conrad @JimmyConradGood thing they’re expanding the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026.Don’t want Italy to miss it again!
(too soon?)
Gary Lineker 💙💛 @GaryLinekerFor Italy to go from being European Champions to not even making the final playoff stage is an almighty and devastating fall.
Nicky Bandini @NickyBandiniAnother improbable stat for the evening: Italy have lost twice in 42 matches over the last three-and-a-half years.
To Spain, and North Macedonia.
Matteo Bonetti @BonettiThe problem is everyone was already assuming it was an Italy Portugal final. How many of the players were thinking the same?
I think we had a good game and just didn't score the goal. Giorgio Chiellini said after the match that they made mistakes and paid for them. I am proud of my teammates and this group is distraught.
I am more than disappointed. Roberto Mancini has nothing to say, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. We deserved to win the Euros, now we have been really unlucky. I apologize for the players.
The future of the country's manager will be under scrutiny given this latest failure. He didn't address his future Thursday.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoRoberto Mancini on his future as Italy head coach: “We will see. Now I feel too disappointed to speak about my future, we will see”, he told Rai Sport. 🔵 #Italy
“I’m sure this team has a great future. I’m supporting these players now more than ever”. pic.twitter.com/bwXAC4uK2f
The players will face a lot of scrutiny. The group was not inexperienced, with Jorginho, Ciro Immobile, Marco Verratti, Lorenzo Insigne and Chiellini all in action.
The burden of Italy's failure will be on those players for the next four years.