World Cup
Italy, Bosnia Battle for World Cup Return in High-Stakes Playoff
Four-time world champions Italy national football team will attempt to end a turbulent two-decade spell when they face Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in a decisive World Cup playoff on Tuesday, with both nations seeking to return to football’s biggest stage after a 12-year absence.
The encounter in Zenica is laden with pressure and history. For Italy, it represents a chance to halt an alarming decline that has seen the former global powerhouse miss the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022—failures that have shaken the foundations of one of football’s most decorated nations. For Bosnia, it is an opportunity to relive the highs of their only appearance at Brazil 2014 and to reassert themselves on the global stage.
Italy’s Long Road Back
Italy’s last World Cup appearance came in 2014—the same tournament that marked Bosnia’s debut—and since then, the Azzurri have endured an uncharacteristic drought. Eliminations at the playoff stage for both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 remain painful scars, particularly for a country that boasts four World Cup titles.
Now under the guidance of Gennaro Gattuso, Italy are once again navigating the treacherous playoff route after a difficult qualifying campaign that included heavy defeats to Norway. Although they steadied their campaign with a home victory over Northern Ireland in the semi-final, the trip to Zenica presents another stern examination.
A third consecutive failure to qualify would deepen the crisis around Italian football and extend a decline that stretches back to their last World Cup triumph in 2006.
Bosnia’s Quest for a Second Appearance
Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, are equally desperate to end their own run of near-misses. Since their historic debut in 2014, the Balkan nation has repeatedly stumbled at the final hurdle—losing in the playoffs for the 2010 World Cup and falling short in qualification for the last four European Championships.
Their current campaign has, however, rekindled belief. After finishing second in their qualifying group behind Austria, Bosnia edged Wales in a tense playoff semi-final decided by penalties, setting up Tuesday’s winner-takes-all clash.
Victory would secure only their second World Cup appearance and mark a significant milestone in their footballing journey.
A Rivalry Rooted in History
Beyond the immediate stakes, the fixture carries deep historical resonance. Bosnia’s first victory as an independent nation came against Italy in a friendly in Sarajevo in November 1996—just months after gaining FIFA recognition following independence in 1992.
That match, played at the Koševo Olympic Stadium before 40,000 fans, symbolised a nation’s re-emergence after the devastation of the Bosnian War. Italy’s willingness to play in Sarajevo—still recovering from a prolonged siege—was widely seen as a gesture of solidarity and a signal that normalcy was returning.
Bosnia’s 2-1 victory that day marked their arrival on the international stage, while the defeat led to the resignation of Italy’s then coach, Arrigo Sacchi.
Nearly three decades later, the two nations meet again under vastly different circumstances—but with similarly high emotional stakes.
Tension Builds in Zenica
Preparations for the playoff have been complicated by adverse weather conditions. Snowfall in Zenica over the weekend, followed by rain, has raised concerns about the playing surface at the Bilino Polje Stadium. Italy have adjusted their plans accordingly, opting to train at their Coverciano base before travelling.
Adding to the tension, the match will be played before a reduced crowd due to FIFA disciplinary sanctions imposed on Bosnia following incidents during their previous home fixture against Romania.
Yet even with limited capacity, a charged atmosphere is expected in Zenica, where passionate home support could play a decisive role.
Winner Takes All
With only one ticket to the World Cup at stake, the playoff offers no margin for error. For Italy, it is a chance to restore pride and reassert their status among football’s elite. For Bosnia, it is an opportunity to write a new chapter and return to the global spotlight after more than a decade in the wilderness.
When the final whistle blows on Tuesday night, one nation will celebrate a long-awaited return to the World Cup, while the other will be left to confront yet another painful chapter in its football history.
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World Cup
VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
This Wednesday, 8 July, it will be 36 years since 10-World Cup-capped journalist, Kunle Solaja, watched his first World Cup final match at the imposing Stadio Olimpico in Rome when the then West Germany beat defending champion, 1-0, in the first ever final match to be decided by a single penalty kick goal and the first in which a red card was issued.
In commemoration of Solaja’s10 World Cup coverage achievement, GHM Communications, a fast-rising post-production company based in Nigeria, has produced a compelling video documentary that pays tribute to veteran Nigerian sports journalist and publisher of Sports Village Square, Kunle Solaja, chronicling an extraordinary career that has taken him to 10 consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
The production, titled around Solaja’s “10 World Cups” milestone, traces a journey that began with a young football enthusiast and evolved into one of Africa’s most enduring World Cup reporting careers.
Using a blend of archival footage, photographs and contemporary images from the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, the documentary highlights Solaja’s unique place among the select group of journalists worldwide who have covered the global football spectacle over such a prolonged period.
The video opens with evocative football imagery before taking viewers through memorable moments from previous World Cups, including iconic scenes featuring football legends and historic tournament matches. It then shifts focus to Solaja’s personal experiences, showcasing his presence at various World Cup venues and media centres across different host nations.
A recurring theme throughout the documentary is the evolution of football journalism over the past three decades and Solaja’s ability to remain relevant through changing technologies, reporting methods and media platforms.
The production also revisits some of the milestones that have defined his professional journey, including his extensive travels, interactions with global football personalities and his commitment to documenting African participation at the World Cup.
Several images featured in the documentary reflect Solaja’s long-standing association with international sports journalism bodies, including the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and FIFA, underscoring the recognition he has received within the global media community.
The documentary culminates with scenes from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Solaja is once again on assignment, completing a remarkable sequence of World Cup appearances stretching from Italia ’90 to the current tournament.
For Nigerian sports journalism, the achievement represents more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to dedication, resilience and a lifelong passion for football reporting.
Having witnessed the World Cup across four decades, multiple continents and several generations of football stars, Solaja’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists and a reminder of the enduring value of specialised sports reporting.
The GHD production captures that legacy vividly, celebrating not just 10 World Cups, but a career devoted to telling the stories behind the world’s biggest sporting event.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA
With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ entering its decisive phase, adidas has unveiled the TRIONDA FINAL, a specially designed Official Match Ball that will be used for the semi-finals, bronze-medal match and final of the record-breaking tournament.
The new ball represents a significant departure from previous FIFA World Cup traditions. While past tournaments typically introduced only colour variations for the latter stages, TRIONDA FINAL features an entirely new premium design that reflects the prestige of the competition’s concluding matches.
Finished in striking gold, white and black, the ball draws inspiration from the journey towards football’s most coveted prize. Its gold accents pay tribute to the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the black base gives it a bold and sophisticated appearance befitting the tournament’s biggest occasions.
TRIONDA FINAL builds on the original TRIONDA Official Match Ball, first unveiled in October 2025, retaining the same high-performance construction while introducing a design tailored specifically for the final four matches.
One of the ball’s most distinctive features is its tribute to the 16 Host Cities that have staged matches during the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. The four cities hosting the tournament’s climax—Dallas, Atlanta, Miami and New York New Jersey—are prominently incorporated into the main design elements.
The remaining host cities—Boston, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Monterrey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver—are embedded within the ball’s triangular graphics, ensuring their contribution to the tournament is celebrated until the final whistle.
“The TRIONDA FINAL ball for the last four matches of the FIFA World Cup is here,” said Gianni Infantino.
“The iconic TRIONDA has brought so much joy every time it has hit the back of the net in this FIFA World Cup, and it perfectly embodies the unity and passion of the tournament’s host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
Infantino added that the ball would serve as a lasting symbol of the cities that have helped stage the tournament.
“For the final four matches of the tournament, this TRIONDA FINAL will be at the feet of the best players on the planet. Through every touch, dribble, flick, pass, cross, save, strike and goal, the 16 cities that have helped FIFA stage the record-breaking 23rd edition of the tournament will be further etched into FIFA World Cup folklore.”
Beyond its aesthetics, the TRIONDA FINAL also incorporates the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology, which provides real-time ball data to assist match officials in making faster and more accurate decisions while offering enhanced performance insights throughout the game.
The ball will make its debut in the semi-finals before taking centre stage in the bronze-medal match and the final in New York New Jersey, where the world champions of the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged will be crowned.
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Egypt coach Hossam Hassan will not be watching any more of the World Cup, he said on Tuesday, blaming refereeing errors for his country’s heartbreaking elimination from the tournament at the hands of Argentina.
Egypt were 2-0 up with 11 minutes left of their last 16 clash against the holders Argentina, agonisingly close to one of the great World Cup upsets, only to concede three goals in the closing stages and go out.
They were picked apart at the end of the game by a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback, but Hassan insisted his team were better.
“I’m going home and won’t be watching any more games from the tournament,” he told a press conference.
“What happened to us wasn’t fair. We should have had a penalty; a goal was disallowed, and I don’t know why it was disallowed.”
Egypt netted in the 62nd minute through Mostafa Zico, but a VAR check found there was a foul from the Egyptians in the buildup.
They also claimed a late penalty after a tug on Hamdy Fathy, and their anger was exacerbated by Argentina going down the other end and scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
“Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you’re entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions,” said Hassan, whose press conference was a litany of complaints.
“I’m the type of person who hates losing. And when it’s a defeat that feels unjust like today’s, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy,” he added.
“But what made me happy was that my players followed the game plan on many occasions and worked very well.”
Egypt had been surprisingly attacking early on in the game, a departure from Hassan’s usual tactic of playing with a tight defence and looking for counter-attack opportunities.
It helped them take an early lead, but it was the heroics of goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir that ensured they remained in front by halftime.
“I’m very, very satisfied with the effort they put in. Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment,” Hassan added.
“Yet with predominantly local players — besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush — we were able to compete with anyone.”
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VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
adidas Unveils Gold-Coloured TRIONDA FINAL Ball For World Cup’s Closing Stages
Hossam Hassan Blames Refereeing Decisions For Egypt’s Heartbreaking Exit
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