SI:AM | Italy’s World Cup Heartbreak (Again)

Italy will miss out on the men’s World Cup for the third consecutive time, while Türkiye secured the final spot in the United States’ group.

DAN GARTLAND Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. Keep your head on a swivel on April Fool’s Day, especially in the age of AI.  In today’s SI:AM: ⚽ Last World Cup spots secured 🏟️ Home sweet dome 🏀 Fixing the NBA lottery Ciao, Italy Claudio Villa/Getty Images Italy won’t be going to the men’s World Cup. Again.  The team’s loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday in the qualification playoffs ensured what Italians had long feared: they’ll miss the World Cup for the third straight time. Italy hasn’t played in a men’s World Cup since 2014, the same summer LeBron James announced his return to Cleveland.  Italy struck first on Tuesday with Moise Kean’s goal in the 15th minute after a careless turnover by the Bosnian goalkeeper. But the game was turned on its head in the 41st minute when Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card for a dangerous sliding tackle, forcing his team to play more than half the game with 10 men. Italian goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma made several impressive saves to maintain the lead for his shorthanded squad, but Bosnia’s Haris Tabaković finally scored the equalizer on a header in the 79th minute. Bosnia went on to win in a penalty shootout. It’s Bosnia’s second World Cup appearance as an independent nation and first since 2014.  “We still don’t believe it—that we’re out and that it happened in this manner,” Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola said. “It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.” CONTINUE DAN’S COLUMN ON SI The best of Sports Illustrated The Rays will play their first game at Tropicana Field since 2024 on Monday after Hurricane Milton forced them to spend last year at the Yankees’ spring training facility. Emma Baccellieri reports the team is happy to be home. Gilberto Manzano unveils his one and only NFL mock draft, which features a few surprises at the top. In this week’s NFL mailbag, Albert Breer weighs in on how the top of this year’s draft could unfold, the 18-game schedule and Brock Purdy’s MVP prospects. Manzano also ranks all eight divisions from worst to best after NFL free agency. Adam Silver has said he wants to fix the NBA’s tanking problem now. If he’s willing to wait a little while, Mitch Goldich has a plan that solves the issue and accounts for the league’s upcoming expansion to 32 teams. Chris Mannix argues that the NBA should abolish the draft lottery entirely. Mannix also has notes on where Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could land next season, Jaden Ivey’s ugly exit, Luka Dončić’s candidacy and more. Guests at Augusta National may stay overnight in the famous cabins that dot the property, Bob Harig writes, making for an unforgettable visit to the home of the Masters. Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images 👀 The top five ... … things I saw last night:  5. The bizarre sequence in the Red Sox-Astros game where everyone on the field seemingly forgot what the count was. Cam Smith swung and missed on an 0–2 pitch but wasn’t sent to the dugout.  4. Alex Ovechkin’s 30th goal of the season. He now has 20 seasons with at least 30 goals. The only time he failed to score 30 goals in a season was 2020–21, when injuries limited him to just 45 games.   3. An emphatic block by LeBron James just seconds after the opening tip.  2. Cal Raleigh’s perfect throw to catch Cody Bellinger attempting to steal second. (Bellinger had a great reaction, too.) 1. The goalie fight between the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin and Devils’ Jacob Markstrom. Join the SI Boxing Newsletter Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix provides a weekly spotlight, featuring in-depth reporting and sharp commentary, on the biggest fights and stories inside the ring. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE W We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter. You can unsubscribe here  . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. All betting and gambling content included in the SI:AM newsletter is intended for individuals 21+ (18+ in DC, KY, NH, RI, and WY). Betting and gambling content, including picks and predictions, are based on individual commentators' opinions and we do not guarantee any success or profits. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or texting 800GAM. Click this link to view the newsletter in your browser.