Bosnia & Herzegovina
Key Players
Squad
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
About
Bosnia & Herzegovina arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament's great qualifying stories, having beaten four-time champions Italy on penalties in the European playoff final to secure only their second-ever World Cup berth. Under Sergej Barbarez — the former Borussia Dortmund and Hamburg striker who took charge in 2024 — the Dragons have found a fighting spirit that carried them through two consecutive penalty shootout victories against Wales and Italy. At the heart of it all is captain Edin Džeko, who at 40 years old scored six qualifying goals including a dramatic late equalizer against Wales, proving he remains Bosnia's talisman. Drawn into Group B with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar, Bosnia face a challenging but not insurmountable task. They open against Canada on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, face group favorites Switzerland on June 18 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and close against Qatar on June 24 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The key match is likely the opener against Canada — a result there could set the tone for the entire campaign. The squad blends Džeko's veteran leadership with exciting young talent: Esmir Bajraktarević, the 21-year-old PSV winger who scored the winning penalty against Italy, and 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović from Red Bull Salzburg represent the future. Expected performance: Group stage or Round of 32. Bosnia's first World Cup in 2014 ended in the group stage despite wins against Iran. This time, with the expanded 48-team format offering more second chances, reaching the knockout rounds is a realistic target. Their playoff mentality and Džeko's big-game experience could prove decisive.
Group Stage Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the coach of Bosnia & Herzegovina at World Cup 2026?
Sergej Barbarez is the head coach of Bosnia & Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Bundesliga striker was appointed in 2024 and guided the team through dramatic playoff victories over Wales and Italy to qualify.
What group is Bosnia & Herzegovina in at World Cup 2026?
Bosnia & Herzegovina is in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. This is only the second World Cup appearance in the nation's history, after their debut in 2014.
When does Bosnia & Herzegovina play at World Cup 2026?
Bosnia & Herzegovina opens against Canada on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. They face Switzerland on June 18 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and close the group stage against Qatar on June 24 at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How did Bosnia qualify for World Cup 2026?
Bosnia qualified through the European playoffs, beating Wales 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final and then Italy 4-1 on penalties in the final. Both matches went to shootouts after draws, with Esmir Bajraktarević scoring the decisive penalty against Italy.
Is Edin Džeko playing at World Cup 2026?
Yes, Edin Džeko was named captain of Bosnia's 26-man World Cup squad at the age of 40. He scored six goals in qualifying and remains the team's all-time top scorer and leader. This is his second World Cup after 2014.