In this episode of Sideline Story, we break down the biggest shock of World Cup qualification: Italy's third consecutive miss. We debate whether the Azzurri's decline is a temporary stumble or long-term collapse, explore the financial struggles and deeper issues behind Italian football's slump and ask if one of Europe's most-decorated national teams can ever return to the elite. We also count the star players who will be absent from the tournament – from Donnarumma to Lewandowski – and take a look at how powerhouses like France and Spain are building momentum ahead of this summer's first expanded 48-team edition of the World Cup.