Italian media lash out at Riccardo Calafiori after World Cup heartbreak

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Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori faced harsh criticism from Italian media after the Azzurri’s devastating World Cup 2026 qualification failure against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s playoff defeat.

Italy crashed out via penalty shootout in Zenica, extending their World Cup absence to a third consecutive tournament. The nation last appeared at a World Cup in 2014, having suffered playoff heartbreak before both the 2018 and 2022 editions.

The Gunners star played the full 90 minutes at left centre-back in a five-man defence as Italy took the lead through Moise Kean’s 15th-minute strike. However, Alessandro Bastoni’s red card for a last-man foul just before half-time changed the complexion of the match.

Bosnia equalised with 11 minutes remaining before prevailing in the shootout, leaving Calafiori and his teammates to watch two spot-kicks saved as their World Cup dreams evaporated.

Media outlets target Arsenal man

According to Corriere dello Sport, Calafiori was “outplayed” in the crucial encounter, with the publication questioning how the 23-year-old could struggle in such an important fixture alongside Federico Dimarco.

“Bastoni’s dismissal unfortunately just made things even worse, forcing us into eighty minutes of pure delirium,” the outlet reported. “They overwhelmed us, made us feel awful, took our breath away. One after another, all our flaws, our lapses in concentration and athleticism, emerged.”

The report added: “I wonder how players like Dimarco and Calafiori could be outplayed in such an important match. Qualification had become a matter of national dignity.”

Corriere della Sera delivered an equally damning assessment, offering what appeared to be a backhanded compliment to the Arsenal defender. “We can expect more from Calafiori. Elegance isn’t enough,” their analysis stated.

National humiliation

The Italian press expressed their fury at missing out on a tournament expanded to 48 teams, with Corriere della Sera describing the situation as “downright humiliating.”

“It’s happened again and it’s been three. Three World Cups in a row without Italy,” they wrote. “Italy is the only national team with a star on its chest that won’t be going to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. We’re disappointed, bitter, angry. Worse, furious.”

The criticism of Calafiori reflects the broader frustration within Italian football as the four-time World Cup winners continue to struggle on the international stage. The defender will now return to Arsenal’s preparations for the remainder of the Premier League season, with the club currently competing across multiple competitions.