Dzeko headlines Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad

fifa3 days ago

Dzeko headlines Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad image

Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Edin Dzeko, who played for the Dragons in their only previous global finals appearance at Brazil 2014 and turned 40 in March, will return to the tournament looking to add to his record tally of 73 goals for the nation. Defender Sead Kolasinac is the only other surviving member from the side which headed to South America 12 years ago.

Coach Sergej Barbarez has also leaned on the experienced Ermedin Demirovic and Amir Hadziahmetovic, while 21-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was born in Wisconsin and was capped by USA in 2024, has also been included. Nine further players have been placed on standby.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup squad

Goalkeepers

Osman Hadzikic Nikola Vasilj Martin Zlomislic

Defenders

Nidal Celik Amar Dedic Dennis Hadzikadunic Nikola Katic Sead Kolasinac Tarik Muharemovic Nihad Mujakic Stjepan Radeljic

Midfielders

Kerim Alajbegovic Esmir Bajraktarevic Ivan Basic Dzenis Burnic Armina Gigovic Amir Hadziahmetovic Ermin Mahmic Amar Memic Ivan Sunjic Benjamin Tahirovic

Forwards

Samed Bazdar Ermedin Demirovic Edin Dzeko Jovo Lukic Haris Tabakovic

All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.

Bosnia's World Cup return

Bosnia ended 12 years of waiting for a second World Cup appearance in dramatic fashion. They went 1-0 up over Austria in their final European qualifier to leapfrog their hosts into top spot in Group H, only for a late Michael Gregoritsch goal to consign them to the UEFA play-offs.

Their quest to reach the finals looked set to end against Wales in the Path A opener when Dan James gave the hosts the lead, only for Dzeko to notch an 86th-minute equaliser. The tie would be decided on penalties, where Nikola Vasilj saved from Neco Williams, allowing Bajraktarevic to net the decisive spot-kick.

A winner-takes-all clash with Italy followed, and while Moise Keane gave the four-time champions the lead after 15 minutes, an Alessandro Bastoni red card swung the momentum in Bosnia's favour. Haris Tabakovic levelled matters 11 minutes from time, before Bajraktarevic once again stepped up to notch the qualification-clinching penalty.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - MARCH 31: Edin Dzeko and Amar Dedic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate victory and qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup 2026 fixtures and group

12 June: Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina – Toronto Stadium
18 June: Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina – Los Angeles Stadium
24 June: Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar – Seattle Stadium