Italy could go from winning Euro 2020 to missing the 2022 World Cup in the span of just a few months.
The Azzurri failed to secure a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup, dropping into the playoff round after shooting blanks in Monday’s 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.
Switzerland powered past Bulgaria 4-0 to knock Roberto Mancini’s side out of first place in Group C and claim an automatic berth in Qatar.
Italy famously missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia after falling to Sweden in the playoffs. Its last appearance in the tournament came in Brazil in 2014 when it failed to advance from the group stage.
The playoff draw will take place Nov. 26.
Twelve teams – including the 10 runners-up from Europe’s first round of qualifying and the two best group winners from the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League – will vie for the final three qualification berths.
The teams will be divided into three groups of four and play one-off semifinals and a final to determine the best of each lot.
Portugal, Russia, Italy, and Scotland will make up four of the six seeded teams, with two yet to be determined.
Sweden, Poland, and North Macedonia will also take part in the draw as runners-up. Wales, currently in second in Group E, is likely to follow suit, with one of the Netherlands, Turkey, and Norway to finish in second place in Group G and one of Finland and Ukraine to drop down from Group D.
Austria will advance as one of the top-ranked teams from the Nations League, with the Czechs likely to follow if they can’t dislodge Wales from second place in Group E.
Italy will have flashbacks of the infamous goalless draw against Sweden in November 2017 that forced the four-time World Cup winner to miss the quadrennial tournament for the first time in decades.
It would be a far greater blow to national morale this time around. Just a few months ago, Italy won the Euros for the second time in its history following an intense penalty shootout against England at Wembley Stadium.
The Italians entered Monday’s qualifier at Windsor Park needing to match Switzerland’s result against Bulgaria. Starting without a recognized striker in the lineup, they struggled to break down Northern Ireland’s back five, often resorting to ineffective long balls.
Italy’s chances of direct qualification took a hit well before Monday’s stalemate. It succumbed to a 1-1 draw at home to Bulgaria in September before blowing a chance to beat Switzerland on Friday. Jorginho missed a late penalty in the latter match to deny his country a win that would’ve put it in a commanding position in Group C.
“We should have won against Bulgaria and had two penalties against Switzerland,” Mancini said. “These are games that could have finished in our favor. I’m completely confident about the playoffs.”