Italian media are concerned about the conditions in which Italy will play its 2026 World Cup playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday (8:45 pm) in a run-down stadium, with a snow-covered pitch, in a polluted city.
The center of immense relief or a new disappointment? Italy will play its qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday (9 pm) against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the aging Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica. An arena that appears to be a trap according to the first impressions of the Italian media who arrived on the scene this weekend. The stadium, built in 1972, is not exactly aesthetically pleasing. The snowfall over the weekend has not helped the situation. On the contrary.
A “run-down” stadium
UEFA has asked Italy to delay their arrival on site and train at the Coverciano training center to avoid damaging the stadium’s pitch. Gennaro Gattuso’s men are expected to arrive only on Monday night in Zenica, “one of the most polluted cities in Europe,” according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The main Italian sports daily was not impressed by what they found on site. “A compact stadium, with no running track and stands right by the field, capable of amplifying the noise and pressure from the crowd,” listed an article. Corriere dello Sport was equally unimpressed by the “run-down” state of the stadium overrun by “tall grass”. Nor by the local environment. “Zenica is not only famous for its steelworks and chimneys that have polluted the city’s air, causing concern among ecologists and residents over the increase in cancer cases in the last ten years. It also houses the most infamous and toughest prison in ex-Yugoslavia.” The ultras of the resident club Celik Zenica took inspiration from this to nickname themselves the “Robijasi” (prisoners).
Only 9,000 people allowed on Tuesday
With a capacity of 14,000 seats, the stadium can be quite hostile. But on Tuesday, it will not be full as UEFA has reduced the capacity by 20% as a sanction imposed for the conduct of Bosnian fans against Romania (3-1) last November. The Federation was criticized for “discrimination, racism, disruption of the national anthem, and lack of order and discipline inside and outside the stadium” by its fans. Around 9,000 spectators are expected in a heated atmosphere but less than it could be.
Once impregnable for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the stadium is no longer a stronghold for Edin Dzeko’s teammates, regularly beaten at home like in September against Austria (1-2) or during the 2024 Nations League campaign with three defeats in as many home matches. France won there in 2021 (0-1) with a goal from Antoine Griezmann. Italy, too, knows the recipe for success with a victory in these same grounds in 2020 (0-2). Several current players (Donnarumma, Bastoni, Barella) had played in that match… behind closed doors. The atmosphere will be much noisier and hostile on Tuesday.
