Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has decided not to hide his emotions following Italy’s latest World Cup failure, Soccernet.ng reports.
Watching one of football’s most decorated nations fall short again struck a personal chord with the former Nigeria midfielder, who knows the weight of the tournament and what it means to countries with deep football traditions.
Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 finals ended in familiar pain, losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw in their European play-off. Reduced to ten men in the second half, the Azzurri battled through extra time but ultimately collapsed in the shootout. It means a third straight World Cup absence, a run that would have been unthinkable not long ago.
Oliseh is convinced that the defeat was not just about one bad night.
The former Juventus ace insists Italy's latest failure is a reflection of a deeper decline that has left the four-time world champions struggling to match their past standards.
“Watching this World Cup play-off final for Italy is a nightmare,” Oliseh wrote on his X page.
“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. Having played in Italy myself, I can tell you I have never seen an Italian team play this poorly in my entire life. I feel so sad for my Italian friends back in Italy who have to live through this. It is alarming and deeply sad.”
Italy: A proud World Cup legacy now under threat
Oliseh’s reaction carries extra weight given his own history against Italy on the biggest stage. At the 1994 World Cup, he was part of the Nigeria side that pushed the Azzurri to the brink in the round of 16, only for Roberto Baggio to score twice and seal a 2-1 comeback win for Italy.
For decades, Italy were one of the World Cup’s benchmark teams. They lifted the trophy four times – in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 – and built a reputation for tactical discipline, defensive strength and an ability to rise in crucial moments. From Paolo Rossi’s goals in 1982 to the defensive masterclass of 2006, their identity was clear and feared.
They also reached two other finals, in 1970 and 1994, and rarely failed to make an impact when they qualified. Even their 2006 triumph remains one of the most efficient tournament runs in history, conceding just two goals across the entire competition.
But the years since that victory have brought a steady decline. Group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014 hinted at problems, while failures to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments confirmed a deeper issue. Missing out again in 2026 only reinforces the sense that Italy have lost their place among the elite.
