Bosnia and Herzegovina returns to the World Cup after a 12-year absence
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national team is approaching the 2026 World Cup with confidence following their successful performance in the play-offs. The team sensationally defeated Italy on penalties and qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014.
Despite this success, the team continues its rebuilding process. Head coach Sergej Barbarez stated upon his appointment that the main goal is to qualify for the 2028 European Championship. At the same time, the team is already demonstrating competitive football and feels no additional pressure ahead of the tournament.
The team’s leader remains 40-year-old captain Edin Džeko. The national team’s all-time leading goalscorer netted six goals in the qualifying campaign, notably scoring a crucial goal late in the match against Wales. It is around this experienced striker that the Bosnians’ attacking play is built, as they predominantly use a 4-4-2 formation.
One of the team’s main strengths is considered to be their ability to play as underdogs. The squad includes players with extensive international experience, such as defender Sead Kolašinac and Edin Džeko. It is this combination of experience and youth that has helped the national team navigate the difficult path to the World Cup.
That said, the team is not without its problems. Although the Bosnians scored in all ten qualifying matches, they conceded in seven of them. For a side that often relies on defensive football, this statistic highlights the need for further work on their defence. Some fans also still recall the 0-7 defeat to Germany at the start of Sergej Barbarez’s tenure.
Among the young players, 21-year-old winger Esmir Bajraktarević is attracting particular attention. It was he who converted the decisive penalty in the match against Italy, which secured his team’s place at the World Cup. The footballer was born and raised in Wisconsin, so he is well acquainted with conditions in North America.
Another promising player is 18-year-old striker Kerim Alajbegovic. The RB Salzburg forward scored the winning penalty in the match against Wales and is already considered one of the country’s most talented young players.
Sergej Barbarez is 54 years old. The former captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team took charge of the side in April 2024 following the resignation of Savo Milošević. It took nine matches to secure the first victory under his leadership, but the team’s results improved significantly thereafter.
In the World Cup qualifiers, the Bosnians initially failed to secure direct qualification, losing out to Austria. In the play-offs, the team came from behind twice during the matches and defeated Wales and Italy on penalties.
The victory over Italy was one of the biggest upsets of the European qualifiers. Upon the team’s return to Sarajevo, over 150,000 people took to the streets to celebrate the players’ qualification for the World Cup.
Under the management of Sergej Barbarez, the team picked up just two points in their first six official matches in the Nations League, but subsequently secured 17 points out of a possible 24 in World Cup qualifying.
At the 2026 World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina will compete in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. Despite having the lowest ranking among the group’s participants, the team is hoping to fight for a place in the play-offs.
This will be the national team’s second appearance at the World Cup as an independent nation. During their debut tournament in 2014, the Bosnians lost to Argentina and Nigeria, before finishing their campaign with a victory over Iran.
