Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Bosnia and Herzegovina have appeared at the FIFA World Cup twice as an independent nation. Their debut came in 2014 in Brazil, where they were eliminated in the group stage after one win (3-1 vs Iran) and losses to Argentina and Nigeria. The 2026 tournament marks only their second World Cup appearance. Bosnia's national team reached their highest FIFA ranking of 13th in August 2013, a period that coincided with their golden generation featuring Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic, and Vedad Ibisevic. They have never qualified for a UEFA European Championship.

Qualification

Bosnia and Herzegovina finished second in UEFA qualifying Group H behind Austria, narrowly missing automatic qualification. They then entered the UEFA playoff Path A. In the semi-final, they came from behind to equalise late and beat Wales on penalties. In the final, they defeated four-time world champions Italy, again fighting back to level before winning in a penalty shootout, completing a historic and dramatic qualification. The campaign was led by Sergej Barbarez, appointed as head coach in April 2024 with no prior senior management experience. Captain Edin Dzeko scored six goals during qualifying.

Preparation

Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic World Cup run ended in the Round of 32. After finishing third in Group B with 4 points, they trained in Salt Lake City (29 June) before travelling to San Jose for media duties and training ahead of facing the United States on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara (att. 68,827; referee Raphael Claus). Captain Edin Dzeko started but was substituted at 51' with an apparent leg/thigh injury, replaced by Mahmić; Haris Tabakovic (recovered from his metatarsal fracture) came on at 75'. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring for the USA at 45' before being sent off at 64' for a foul on Muharemovic; Malik Tillman sealed it with an 82nd-minute free kick as the USA won 2-0. Despite the elimination, coach Barbarez and Dzeko both stressed pride in reaching the knockout stage for the first time in Bosnian football history.

Latest news

USA 2-0 Bosnia: Balogun and Tillman send Zmajevi out despite red card

· matches

Bosnia's historic first World Cup knockout run ended with a 2-0 loss to the USA at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (att. 68,827). Balogun scored in first-half stoppage time, then was sent off in the 64th (VAR, foul on Muharemović); Tillman sealed it with an 82nd-minute free kick. Demirović and Mahmić had late chances but no equaliser came. It remains Bosnia's greatest World Cup result.

Barbarez and captain Dzeko reflect on elimination: 'We should be proud of what we accomplished'

· squad

After the 2-0 Round of 32 loss to the USA, coach Sergej Barbarez said the team controlled much of the match before conceding from their own mistake and praised the players' second-half effort. Captain Edin Dzeko, who was substituted at 51' with an apparent leg injury, said the second USA goal made a comeback impossible but expressed pride in the squad's achievement and thanked the supporters.

Dzeko forced off with apparent leg injury during Round of 32 defeat

· injuries

Captain Edin Dzeko started against the USA but was substituted in the 51st minute with an apparent leg/thigh injury, replaced by Ermin Mahmić. He had entered the tournament with no major concerns before this in-game injury.

Zmajevi face USA for a place in the last 16: press conference and confirmed XI news

· general

Ahead of the Round of 32 tie at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (referee Raphael Claus), Barbarez said the team earned 'enormous respect' and would keep its winning mentality. Dzeko called it possibly Bosnia's biggest match ever; Vasilj and Malić also spoke. No injuries were reported, and Tabaković (recovered from his metatarsal fracture) was named among the substitutes.

Zmajevi wrap up Salt Lake City camp, depart for San Jose ahead of USA clash

· general

Bosnia held their final Salt Lake City training session on 29 June at RSL Stadium before departing for San Jose, with official media activities (press conference and training at San Jose Park Stadium) scheduled for 30 June ahead of the Round of 32 match against the USA.

Muharemovic and Jurkas express readiness for USA clash: 'My dreams keep coming true'

· general

Tarik Muharemovic and Mladen Jurkas spoke to media at America First Field, Salt Lake City on 28 June ahead of the Round of 32 against the USA. Muharemovic: 'It is a truly beautiful feeling and great honour to have written history once more.' Jurkas: 'The longer I am here, the more my dreams come true.' The team travels to San Jose to prepare before the July 1 match in Santa Clara.

Zmajevi train in Salt Lake City with federation president; Gigovic and Hadzikadunić preview USA

· general

Bosnia held a training session in Salt Lake City on 27 June, attended by NS/FS BiH president Vico Zeljkovic. Armin Gigovic: 'It feels wonderful to secure progression to the next phase; we are focused on defeating the Americans.' Dennis Hadzikadunić: 'We are all happy we advanced past the group stage and will give maximum effort.' No individual injury updates were reported.

Bosnia to face USA in Round of 32 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on 1 July; ticket notice issued

· general

NFSBiH confirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina's Round of 32 fixture: USA at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, on 1 July 2026 (20:00 ET / 02:00 CET on 2 July). The federation thanked fans for exceptional support and informed them the allocated ticket contingent was very limited; remaining tickets are available through FIFA's official channels.

Bosnia confirmed in Round of 32; federation opens ticket registration for knockout match

· general

Following the 3-1 victory over Qatar, the NS/FS BiH confirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina's advancement to the Round of 32 for the first time in their history. The federation published a fan notice inviting supporters to register to purchase tickets for the knockout-stage match, with Bosnia finishing third in Group B on four points.

Bosnia 3-1 Qatar: Alajbegovic stunner and Mahmić brace seal historic first knockout qualification

· matches

Bosnia beat Qatar 3-1 at Seattle Stadium (att. 66,925). Alajbegovic (29') struck from 20 yards; own goal by Al-Brake (34') doubled the lead; Al-Haydos (42') pulled one back. Mahmić sealed it (80'). Sunjic started, replaced at 46'. Dzeko earned his 150th cap, subbed at 64', reacting angrily. Bosnia finish Group B third with four points behind Switzerland (7) and Canada (4).

Memic and Alajbegovic speak after Qatar win; Dzeko marks 150th cap

· squad

After the 3-1 victory, Amar Memic said: 'Incredible, almost like playing at home in America. I am proud of myself, the team, and the whole country.' Alajbegovic said he did not overthink his opening goal and credited the supporters. Edin Dzeko earned his 150th international cap, becoming one of the most capped Bosnian players ever, and played a key role in the own-goal before being substituted.

Squad departs for Seattle ahead of must-win Qatar clash on 24 June

· general

Bosnia and Herzegovina left Salt Lake City for Seattle on 23 June ahead of their decisive Group B match against Qatar at Lumen Field (24 June, 12:00 local / 21:00 CET). Referee Jesus Valenzuela Saez of Venezuela will officiate. No new injury updates were announced. Muharemovic remains suspended.

Zmajevi train in excellent atmosphere at RSL Stadium in Salt Lake City

· general

Bosnia and Herzegovina held another training session at RSL Stadium in Salt Lake City on 22 June in 'excellent atmosphere with strong commitment' according to the federation. A press conference was scheduled for 23 June at 18:45 local time at Seattle Stadium. No individual injury updates were reported.

Hadziahmetovic and Malic speak ahead of Qatar: 'We need three points and will give everything'

· general

At the pre-match media session on 21 June, Amir Hadziahmetovic said: 'We know we need three points to progress. Qatar must also attack, so this should be an open game.' Arjan Malic added: 'We have chances. We will give everything to win and advance to the next stage.'

Zmajevi train in Salt Lake City; Dedic and Bazdar vow to attack Qatar from the first minute

· general

Bosnia trained at RSL Stadium, Salt Lake City on 20 June, attended by NS BiH president Zeljkovic. Dedic: 'We left Switzerland too much space. We must attack from the first minute.' Bazdar: 'One mistake can cost you. Qatar is the most important match at the World Cup.' Three sessions remain before the 24 June fixture in Seattle.

Muharemovic suspended for must-win Qatar clash; Bosnia need victory to stay alive

· general

Tarik Muharemovic is suspended for Bosnia's final Group B match against Qatar (24 June, Seattle) after his straight red card vs Switzerland. Both Bosnia and Qatar have one point; a draw likely eliminates both. Goal.com confirms Dzeko is expected to start after featuring vs Switzerland.

Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia: Muharemovic red card proves costly in second-half collapse

· matches

Bosnia lost 4-1 to Switzerland at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. Goalless at half-time; Manzambi (74') broke the deadlock, then Muharemovic received a straight red card (80') for a last-man foul on Embolo. Down to ten, Bosnia conceded to Vargas (84'), Manzambi (90') and Xhaka pen (90+7'); Mahmić replied (90+3'). Barbarez: 'result too high, red card changed the game.' Dzeko played (yellow 61').

Barbarez and Katic preview Switzerland match in Los Angeles press conference

· general

Coach Barbarez held a pre-match press conference in Los Angeles on 17 June ahead of the Group B fixture against Switzerland. He said 'we deserved the point we won' vs Canada and that the team must 'be better than Switzerland to beat them.' Nikola Katic credited fan support as key motivation. No injury updates were given.

Canada 1-1 Bosnia: Lukic's header cancelled out by Larin substitute strike

· matches

Bosnia drew 1-1 with co-hosts Canada at BMO Field, Toronto (att. 43,002). Lukic headed them ahead in the 21st minute from a Kolasinac flick; substitute Larin equalised 121 seconds after entering the pitch (78'). Dzeko did not start (shoulder managed); Tabakovic was unavailable. Bosnia XI: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac (c); Bajraktarevic, Basic, Tahirovic, Memic; Lukic, Demirovic.

Barbarez pre-match: 'Full of desire and we believe in ourselves' ahead of Canada opener

· general

At his Toronto Stadium press conference on 12 June, coach Sergej Barbarez confirmed Nidal Celik had suffered a meniscus injury two days earlier requiring surgery and would be replaced in the squad by Arjan Malic. Barbarez said: 'We are a small nation and this is only our second World Cup. We are all prepared, full of desire.' Bosnia's goal is to advance to the second phase.

Nidal Celik out of World Cup with meniscus injury; Arjan Malic called up

· squad

Defender Nidal Celik (RC Lens, born 2006) suffered a meniscus injury requiring surgery and was withdrawn from Bosnia's World Cup squad. Coach Barbarez announced his replacement: 20-year-old right-back Arjan Malic of SK Sturm Graz, called up on 11 June 2026. Malic had travelled to North America with the squad despite missing the original 26-man selection.

Official pre-match training: Demirovic, Tahirovic and Memic preview Canada match

· general

Bosnia held their official pre-match training at Toronto Stadium on 11 June, attended by federation president Vico Zeljkovic. Three players spoke to reporters: Demirovic called the World Cup 'something truly special'; Tahirovic stressed readiness and thanked supporters; Memic said the team had thoroughly analysed Canada and expressed confidence in the squad's quality. No injury updates were given.

Zmajevi train again in Toronto as Canada opener approaches

· general

Bosnia and Herzegovina held another training session in Toronto on 10 June as final preparation for their World Cup opener against Canada on 12 June at 21:00 local time at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field). The federation listed a closing training at Centennial Park and coach Sergej Barbarez's pre-match press conference for 11 June. No new individual injury updates were given.

Dzeko limited to individual work, doubtful for opener; Tabakovic joins squad in Toronto

· injuries

Captain Edin Dzeko was limited to individual training in Toronto on 9 June, a serious doubt for the Canada opener due to a shoulder injury from March against Italy, having managed only 64 minutes since. Haris Tabakovic joined the squad but trains individually; federation media reported a realistic chance he recovers later in the group stage. Players said they had adapted to the time difference.

Zmajevi arrive in Toronto and hold first training, begin final phase before Canada

· general

After their 1-1 friendly with Panama in St. Louis, Bosnia and Herzegovina travelled to Toronto and held their first training session there on 8 June, beginning the final phase of preparation for their World Cup opener against co-hosts Canada on 12 June at Toronto Stadium. Captain Edin Dzeko shared arrival updates on social media.

Bosnia draw 1-1 with Panama in final World Cup warm-up in St. Louis

· matches

Bosnia drew their final World Cup warm-up 1-1 away to Panama at Energizer Park, St. Louis, 6 June. Katic headed them ahead in the 23rd minute before Ramos levelled in first-half stoppage time. Goalkeeper Vasilj made several saves, Memic struck the post in the 77th, and Kolasinac captained a much-changed side. Coach Barbarez called the early kickoff valuable for adapting to tournament conditions.

Zmajevi hold first St. Louis training at Energizer Park ahead of Panama friendly

· general

Bosnia and Herzegovina held their first St. Louis training session at Energizer Park on 4 June, which the federation described as a positive atmosphere under coach Sergej Barbarez. It is part of their US camp before facing Panama there on 6 June, which the NFSBiH called the Dragons' last check before the FIFA World Cup 2026. The article reported no individual injury updates.

Zmajevi hold farewell open training at Grbavica before flying to USA; Dzeko trains separately

· general

Bosnia held an open farewell training at Grbavica stadium in Sarajevo on 1 June, watched by fans, before departing for the United States on 2 June. Captain Edin Dzeko worked separately with a fitness coach. The first US stop is St. Louis, where they play a warm-up against Panama on 6 June at Energizer Park, ahead of their World Cup opener against Canada in Toronto on 12 June.

Goalkeeper Hadzikic hurt in warm-up; teenager Mladen Jurkas called up to preparations

· squad

Goalkeeper Osman Hadzikic was injured in the warm-up before the North Macedonia friendly on 29 May, with reports of a 10-15 day layoff. On 30 May coach Sergej Barbarez activated a reserve call-up for 18-year-old Mladen Jurkas (FK Borac Banja Luka), his first senior call-up, to cover the goalkeeping position. Hadzikic was not definitively ruled out, his final fitness report awaited.

Bosnia held to goalless friendly draw by North Macedonia in Sarajevo

· matches

In their first World Cup warm-up, Bosnia and Herzegovina drew 0-0 with North Macedonia at the Asim Ferhatovic Hase stadium in Sarajevo on 29 May. Both teams made wholesale changes at half-time. Amar Dedic captained the side and Martin Zlomislic started in goal; Ivan Sunjic (muscle injury) sat out, and Edin Dzeko did not feature as he managed his fitness.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Nikola VasiljGKFC St. Pauli
Martin ZlomislićGKHNK Rijeka
Osman HadžikićGKNK Slaven Belupo
Mladen JurkasGKFK Borac Banja Luka
Sead KolašinacDFAtalanta BC
Amar DedićDFSL Benfica
Nihad MujakićDFGaziantep FK
Nikola KatićDFFC Schalke 04
Tarik MuharemovićDFUS Sassuolo
Stjepan RadeljićDFHNK Rijeka
Dennis HadžikadunićDFUC Sampdoria
Arjan MalićDFSK Sturm Graz
Amir HadžiahmetovićMFHull City
Ivan ŠunjićMFPafos FC
Ivan BašićMFFC Astana
Dženis BurnićMFKarlsruher SC
Ermin MahmićMFFC Slovan Liberec
Benjamin TahirovićMFBrøndby IF
Amar MemićMFFC Viktoria Plzen
Armin GigovićMFBSC Young Boys
Kerim AlajbegovićMFRB Salzburg
Esmir BajraktarevićMFPSV Eindhoven
Ermedin DemirovićFWVfB Stuttgart
Jovo LukićFWFC Universitatea Cluj
Samed BaždarFWJagiellonia Białystok
Haris TabakovićFWBorussia Mönchengladbach
Edin DžekoFWFC Schalke 04

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