Edin Dzeko
The legend. At 40, the country's all-time record scorer and captain is still leading the line, now at Schalke 04. Six goals in qualifying, including a vital playoff equaliser, proved he can still deliver on the biggest nights.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup
The Dragons are back, and they did it the hard way. Bosnia and Herzegovina reached only their second World Cup by surviving the European playoffs, beating Wales on penalties and then knocking out four-time world champions Italy on penalties in the final. At the heart of it all, as ever, is captain and record scorer Edin Dzeko, now 40 and chasing a fairytale send-off. Coach Sergej Barbarez blends Dzeko and veteran Sead Kolasinac with a rising generation led by Benfica full-back Amar Dedic, Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic and teenagers like Esmir Bajraktarevic. Drawn into a winnable Group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, this is the squad, the story, the fixtures, and the bid for a first knockout appearance.
B
Group
2nd
World Cup
2014
Debut
26
Squad
Through the hard way. Sergej Barbarez's Bosnia qualified by winning two penalty shootouts in the playoffs, the second against Italy. Captain Edin Dzeko, 40, leads a 26-man squad blending experience and youth. Bosnia open against co-hosts Canada at BMO Field in Toronto on 12 June, face Switzerland at SoFi Stadium, then finish against Qatar in Seattle.
The Key Players
The spine of Barbarez's Bosnia
Bosnia mix a legendary captain with a promising new generation. These are the names the campaign turns on.
Sead Kolasinac
The warrior. The Atalanta defender brings power, experience and a relentless competitive edge. A survivor of the 2014 squad, he is the defensive leader and one of the team's most recognisable faces.
Amar Dedic
The modern full-back. The Benfica defender is one of Bosnia's brightest talents, an attacking right-back with the energy to get up and down the flank. A symbol of the team's promising new generation.
Ermedin Demirovic
The goal threat. The VfB Stuttgart forward is a versatile attacker who can lead the line or play off Dzeko. His Bundesliga pedigree makes him a key source of goals for the Dragons.
Esmir Bajraktarevic
The wildcard. The young, PSV-based attacker represents the next wave of Bosnian talent, a direct and creative wide player who gives Barbarez an option to change games from the bench or the start.
Sergej Barbarez
The architect. A former Bundesliga striker and Bosnia international, Barbarez took charge in 2024 and steered the Dragons through a nervy group and two playoff shootouts to a second World Cup.
The Squad
Bosnia's 26-man squad by position
Sergej Barbarez balanced the experience of Dzeko and Kolasinac with a host of players forging careers across Europe's leagues, several of them dual-eligible talents who chose Bosnia. Playoff hero Haris Tabakovic, whose late goal helped sink Italy, leads the supporting cast up front. Below is the full squad by position; club listings can shift over the summer window.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Nikola VasiljSt Pauli
- Martin ZlomislicRijeka
- Osman HadzikicSlaven Belupo
Defenders
8 in the squad
- Sead KolasinacAtalanta
- Amar DedicBenfica
- Nihad MujakicGaziantep
- Nikola KaticSchalke 04
- Tarik MuharemovicSassuolo
- Stjepan RadeljicRijeka
- Dennis HadzikadunicSampdoria
- Nidal CelikLens
Midfielders
10 in the squad
- Amir HadziahmetovicHull City
- Ivan SunjicPafos
- Ivan BasicAstana
- Dzenis BurnicKarlsruher SC
- Ermin MahmicSlovan Liberec
- Benjamin TahirovicBrondby
- Amar MemicViktoria Plzen
- Armin GigovicYoung Boys
- Kerim AlajbegovicRB Salzburg
- Esmir BajraktarevicPSV Eindhoven
Forwards
5 in the squad
- Edin DzekoCaptain
- Ermedin DemirovicVfB Stuttgart
- Haris TabakovicBorussia Monchengladbach
- Samed BazdarJagiellonia Bialystok
- Jovo LukicUniversitatea Cluj
Barbarez's squad runs through Dzeko and Kolasinac at one end of the experience scale and a clutch of European-based youngsters at the other. The defence leans on Kolasinac and Dedic, the midfield mixes graft and creativity, and the attack still revolves around the 40-year-old captain, with Demirovic and Tabakovic for support. Club listings can change over the summer window.
The Calls
The story behind the squad
Three threads define Bosnia's 2026 campaign: a captain's farewell, a stunning playoff run, and a first knockout dream.
Dzeko's Last Dance
The send-off. At 40, Edin Dzeko is set for his final major tournament. A nation that has built two decades of football around him would love one last special run.
Two Shootouts
The drama. Bosnia beat Wales and then four-time champions Italy, both on penalties, in the European playoffs. It was one of the great qualifying upsets and sent the Azzurri out again.
A First Knockout
The goal. Bosnia went out in the group at their 2014 debut despite beating Iran. Reaching the round of 32 in the new 48-team format would be the country's greatest World Cup achievement.
Group B
The group and the fixtures
Bosnia were drawn into Group B with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. There is no overwhelming favourite here, which makes it one of the more open groups: Switzerland are seasoned knockout regulars, Canada have home advantage, but Bosnia will fancy their chances of finishing in the top two or grabbing a best-third spot. Their three matches are spread right across the continent.
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fri 12 Jun 2026
Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Thu 18 Jun 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar
Wed 24 Jun 2026
The opener against co-hosts Canada in Toronto sets the tone, before the key clash with Switzerland and a likely decider against Qatar. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our guides to Group B rivals Canada and Switzerland, plus Qatar.
The Ceiling
How far can Bosnia go?
Bosnia are outsiders, but a kind group and the expanded format give them a real shot at history:
- A talisman who delivers. Edin Dzeko has spent a career scoring decisive goals, and he proved in qualifying that the big moments still find him.
- Playoff steel. Winning two shootouts to qualify, including against Italy, showed nerve that travels into a tournament.
- An open group. Group B has no giant. Switzerland are favourites, but Canada, Bosnia and Qatar are closely matched for the places behind.
- The format helps. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, even a third-place finish could be enough to reach the round of 32.
- The question. Goals beyond Dzeko. If the supporting cast of Demirovic, Tabakovic and the younger players chip in, Bosnia become much harder to stop.
Switzerland are favourites to win the group, but everything below them is open. If Dzeko stays fit and the team carries its playoff momentum, a first knockout appearance in Bosnia's history is a genuine possibility, and the perfect farewell for their greatest player.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Bosnia and Herzegovina's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Sergej Barbarez is Bosnia and Herzegovina's head coach. A former international striker himself, he took over in 2024 and guided the Dragons through the qualifying group and the playoffs to a second World Cup.
Is Edin Dzeko in Bosnia's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Edin Dzeko, the country's captain and all-time record goalscorer, is in the squad at the age of 40. He scored six goals in qualifying, including a dramatic late equaliser in the playoff semi-final against Wales.
How did Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Bosnia came through the European playoffs, beating Wales on penalties in the semi-final and then four-time world champions Italy on penalties in the final, one of the great upsets of the qualifying campaign.
What group are Bosnia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. It is a balanced group with no overwhelming favourite, giving the Dragons a genuine chance of advancing.
What are Bosnia's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Bosnia open against co-hosts Canada on 12 June at BMO Field in Toronto, face Switzerland on 18 June at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and finish against Qatar on 24 June at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Is this Bosnia's first World Cup?
No. The 2026 World Cup is Bosnia and Herzegovina's second appearance. Their debut came at Brazil 2014, where they went out in the group stage but beat Iran 3-1 for a first World Cup win.
Who are Bosnia's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Edin Dzeko leads the line, supported by veteran Sead Kolasinac and Benfica full-back Amar Dedic in defence. Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic and young midfielders Benjamin Tahirovic and Esmir Bajraktarevic are central to the team.
Did Bosnia really beat Italy to qualify?
Yes. In the playoff final Bosnia held four-time world champions Italy and won on penalties, with Haris Tabakovic having earlier helped force the decisive moments. It sent Italy out of a second World Cup in a row and Bosnia through.
How old is Edin Dzeko at the 2026 World Cup?
Edin Dzeko is 40 during the 2026 World Cup. The Schalke 04 striker, a former Manchester City, Roma and Inter forward, has said this is likely his final major tournament, making it a true last dance.
Can Bosnia get out of the group in 2026?
Yes, it is realistic. Group B has no clear powerhouse, and with the top two plus the best third-placed sides advancing in the 48-team format, Bosnia have a genuine chance of reaching the knockouts for the first time in their history.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Bosnia and Herzegovina are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Canada Squad
Bosnia's Group B opponents and co-hosts, Alphonso Davies and a home World Cup.
Read the Canada guide ›Switzerland Squad
Bosnia's Group B rivals, the knockout regulars and the group's seeds.
Read the Switzerland guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to Bosnia.
Open the schedule ›Superstars to Watch
The top players at the 2026 World Cup, from Group B's biggest names to the tournament's brightest stars.
View the superstars ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
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