Ex-coach of the Russian national team Capello called Italy's absence from the 2026 World Cup a disgrace.

On April 1, Fabio Capello, the former head coach of the Russian national football team, called it a disgrace that the Italian national team did not attend the 2026 World Cup.

"This is a sporting tragedy, a disgrace. This is one of the worst events that have happened to Italian football in its recent history," the Spanish newspaper Marca quoted him as saying.

The specialist stressed that this is unacceptable for a team of this level and prestige, and recalled that the Italian national team is a four-time World Cup winner. He added that after Italy's defeat, he could not sleep all night.

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On the eve of the Italian national team, in the decisive play-off match for reaching the World Cup, they lost to the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout with a score of 4:1 and will not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Thus, the 2026 World Cup will be the third consecutive World Cup to be held without the participation of the Italian national team.

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