World Cup qualifiers

Everybody’s talking about Italy – former players, journalists, butchers and grocers

Italy's Gianluca Mancini, Pio Esposito, Marco Palestra, Leonardo Spinazzola and Federico Gatti looking dejected after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia, on March 31, 2026.

Ailing Italy at new low after missing out on yet another World Cup

Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma reacting after the 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. The match ended 1-1 after extra time.

World Cup play-offs round-up

Marko Farji of Iraq celebrating after they qualified for the World Cup following a 2-1 win over Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off in Mexico on March 31.

Tuanzebe shines for DR Congo as they qualify for World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - Inter-Confederation Playoffs - Final - DR Congo v Jamaica - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - March 31, 2026 DR Congo players celebrate qualifying for the FIFA World Cup REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez

African teams register morale-boosting wins in World Cup qualifiers

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Morocco v Paraguay - Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France - March 31, 2026 Morocco's Anass Salah-Eddine, Zakaria El Ouahdi, and teammates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Catherine Steenkeste

‘Amazing opportunity’ as Sweden still have World Cup chance despite woeful qualifying campaign

Swedish national tam head coach Graham Potter and his captain Victor Lindelof at a press conference in Stockholm on March 30, 2026. Sweden will face Poland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off on March 31.

Italy chase World Cup spot as Kosovo bid to make debut

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso during the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.

Italy stay in World Cup hunt as Wales and Ireland suffer penalty heartbreak

Italy's Moise Kean celebrates scoring their second goal.

Pressure on Italy as play-off hopefuls eye 2026 World Cup

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is hoping to lead the Italians to their first World Cup Finals appearance since 2014, when they face Northern Ireland in their play-off clash on March 26.

Gennaro Gattuso prioritises mental issues over tactics as Italy face World Cup play-off

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will focus on the World Cup play-off clash against Northern Ireland, instead of dwelling on past mistakes.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.