Known as the Dragons, they play with a physical intensity and directness that has made them difficult opponents for any side.
Their golden generation of the early 2010s – built around Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic – reached a FIFA ranking of eighth in 2013, the highest in the nation’s history.
A decade of decline followed before Sergej Barbarez – a former captain with 47 international caps – was appointed in April 2024 with no prior senior management experience and immediately delivered the country’s most dramatic qualification campaign in history.
How they got there
Bosnia finished second in UEFA qualifying Group H behind Austria before entering the playoffs. They beat Wales in Cardiff on penalties in the semi-final – Dzeko scoring a dramatic late equaliser to force the shootout – before defeating four-time world champions Italy on penalties in the final.
Esmir Bajraktarevic, the 21-year-old PSV Eindhoven winger, scored the decisive penalty to end Italy’s World Cup hopes and send Bosnia to North America. It was one of the most celebrated moments in the nation’s sporting history.
Best ever World Cup finish
Bosnia appeared at their first ever World Cup in Brazil in 2014, where they exited in the group stage.
Despite the early exit, the tournament produced one of the most celebrated moments in their history – a 3-1 victory over Iran that gave them their first ever World Cup win.
Dzeko, Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic scored in a performance that gave the nation a taste of what their golden generation was capable of.
Iconic moments
The 3-1 victory over Iran in 2014 remains Bosnia’s greatest World Cup moment – their first and only win at the tournament. Dzeko’s goal, Pjanic’s vision and the collective joy of a nation watching their team win for the first time on football’s biggest stage made it a moment the country will never forget. The playoff penalty shootout victory over Italy in March 2026 runs it a very close second.
Players to watch
Edin Dzeko (Schalke) – At 40, Dzeko remains the heart and soul of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their all-time leading scorer and most capped player, he became the oldest goalscorer in 2. Bundesliga history this season.
He scored six goals in qualifying including a dramatic late equaliser against Wales. This is almost certainly his final World Cup – and he will be desperate to make it count.
Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart) – The most prolific striker in the squad after Dzeko. Demirovic has been one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent attackers over the past two seasons and provides the physical presence and clinical finishing that gives Bosnia a genuine threat in open play.
Fixtures
12 Jun: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – BMO Field, Toronto – 22:00 SAST
18 Jun: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 21:00 SAST
24 Jun: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar – Lumen Field, Seattle – 21:00 SAST
Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images
