PHOTO: AFP/FIGC

The roadmap for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- the biggest yet, with 48 nations -- took shape yesterday against a backdrop of tears, joy, and historic feats. [Anti-clockwise] For Italy, it was shock and disbelief as Gennaro Gattuso’s men suffered an agonising 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final, following a 1-1 draw in Zenica. The result means Italy -- reduced to 10 men after defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off late in the first half -- will miss a third straight World Cup while Bosnia return to the event for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 at home with an extra-time winner from former England Under-21 international Axel Tuanzebe in their inter-confederation playoff final, securing their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, when the country was known as Zaire. In Mexico’s Monterrey, Iraq players celebrated their return to the quadrennial event after a 40-year absence by claiming the final spot with a 2-1 win over Bolivia. Turkiye also returned after a 22-year gap, while Sweden (first time since 2018) and Czechia (first time since 2006) also booked their places in the tournament.