India, July 13 -- The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams was intended to make qualification more accessible than ever before. Yet even with additional places on offer, some of international football's most recognizable nations have still been left on the outside looking in, proving that a place on the world's biggest stage remains far from guaranteed.

Among the most striking absentees is Italy. The four-time world champions have now missed a third consecutive World Cup following a dramatic UEFA playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. For a nation whose football identity is built upon success, resilience and silverware, the failure is nothing short of extraordinary. Once the standard-bearers of international football, the Azzur...