Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup play-off clash has produced a spy-gate scandal, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side accused of sending a spy to watch their opponents
22:56, 30 Mar 2026Updated 22:56, 30 Mar 2026
An Italian soldier was claimed to be spying(Image: X)
Italy have been accused of spying on Bosnia and Herzegovina as the World Cup play-off clash descends into a scandal. The European sides face off on Tuesday evening for a place at the World Cup this summer, and tensions are ratcheting up ahead of the high-pressure clash.
Preparing for the match at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica, Edin Dzeko and co undertook their preparations in Butmir on Sunday, and local media claim an Italian spy was seeking an advantage. A EUFOR soldier, believed to be Italian, was spotted filming the training session.
Filming was permitted for a 15-minute period open to the public, but a picture of a man wearing a camouflage jacket has emerged, alongside claims he remained beyond the allotted time when training would typically intensify. There is no evidence to suggest the figure is connected to the Italian national team.
The EUFOR base is located adjacent to the Bosnian training pitch, with Butmir bordering NATO headquarters. The Multinational Battalion, military police personnel, is housed there and includes the Italian Carabinieri.
It is claimed that the figure is from this base and that he was only enjoying the training session rather than anything more malicious ahead of the play-off bout.
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Elsewhere, Italy arrived in the nation following their own preparations. Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has spoken about the enormity of the clash and the pressure arising from it.
“It’s one of the most important matches, one of the most emotional,” he explained in a press conference. “We’re human beings; we feel the matches too. We need to know how to manage it, saving our energy solely for tomorrow. It’s normal to be thinking about it.
“Tomorrow will be important, extremely important – one of the most important matches I’ll ever play. The thought is there; we need to give 100% because then, when you’re at your best, your conscience is clear.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Bryan Cristante and Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy look on during Italy’s pitch inspection(Image: Claudio Villa – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images)
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“We’ll be ready; we’ve worked well, and we’ve got the right mindset to face a challenge like tomorrow’s. We must focus solely on ourselves; if you think only about what you have to do, don’t waste energy on other situations.”
The Italian goalkeeper is going in search of a World Cup spot after the four-time winners missed out on the previous two editions of the competition. That is despite success at Euro 2020.
“I’m really proud of everything I’ve achieved with the national team,” he said. “Over the years there have been highs and lows; I’ve missed out on two World Cups, but now there’s a desire to take Italy back to where it belongs.
“Only we know what we went through when we failed to qualify; we have to start from there to take Italy back to where it deserves to be, to bring great joy to the Italian people but also to all of us.”
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