Squad, Dzeko & Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovina at World Cup 2026: Sergej Barbarez’s Dragons return with captain Edin Dzeko in Group B. Full squad, key players and predictions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Zmajevi · UEFA · Group B
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- Zmajevi / Zlatni Ljiljani "The Dragons" / "Golden Lilies"
- Confederation
- UEFA
- FIFA Ranking
- Roughly 60s–70s range Early 2026 estimate; verify at kickoff
- Head Coach
- Sergej Barbarez
- Captain
- Edin Dzeko
- World Cup Appearances
- 2 2014 and 2026
- Best Finish
- Group stage
- Group
- Group B Canada, Switzerland and Qatar
One of the great romantic stories of the 2026 World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are one of the great romantic stories of the 2026 World Cup. A nation that only became independent in the 1990s, the Dragons reached their first-ever World Cup as an independent country in 2014, then endured more than a decade of near-misses. Their return in 2026 came via a nerve-shredding playoff route, reportedly overcoming Wales and then Italy on penalties to seal qualification — a fittingly dramatic way for a country that lives and breathes its football.
The team is led by Sergej Barbarez, himself a former national-team captain and a beloved figure from Bosnia’s early years as an independent footballing nation. Appointed in 2024 with little senior coaching experience, Barbarez oversaw one of the country’s strongest qualifying campaigns. At the heart of it all remains the talismanic Edin Dzeko, still scoring and still leading at 40.
At the heart of it all remains the talismanic Edin Dzeko, still scoring and still leading at 40.
A potent mix of last-dance sentiment and emerging promise.
This is a team carried by emotion, identity and one of the most beloved strikers of his generation. Edin Dzeko captaining his country at what is almost certainly his final World Cup, at the age of 40, is one of the tournament’s headline storylines. Beyond nostalgia, Bosnia blend grizzled veterans with a wave of exciting young talent — including a teenage winger who reportedly scored the decisive penalty against Italy. Few squads carry such a potent mix of last-dance sentiment and emerging promise.
Edin Dzeko captaining his country at what is almost certainly his final World Cup, at the age of 40, is one of the tournament’s headline storylines.
The bar, and the dream
Bosnia are clear underdogs in Group B and at the tournament as a whole. Their qualification was an achievement in itself, and reaching the knockout stage of the expanded 48-team format would be a genuine triumph. Realistically, they will battle Qatar for the chance to finish third and sneak through as one of the best third-placed sides, while hoping to upset Canada or Switzerland. Expectation is tempered: anything beyond the group stage should be celebrated, and a competitive, point-earning campaign would already justify the journey.
The realistic route
In the 48-team format, reaching the knockout stage would be a genuine triumph. The realistic target is a third-place finish above Qatar and a shot at advancing as one of the best third-placed sides — while hoping to upset Canada or Switzerland.
Barbarez’s 26
Projection based on the reported 26-man squad and recent selections; subject to change.
Goalkeepers
3- Osman Hadzikic
- Nikola Vasilj
- Martin Zlomislic
Defenders
8- Nidal Celik
- Amar Dedic
- Dennis Hadzikadunic
- Nikola Katic
- Sead Kolasinac
- Tarik Muharemovic
- Nihad Mujakic
- Stjepan Radeljic
Midfielders
10- Kerim Alajbegovic
- Esmir Bajraktarevic
- Ivan Basic
- Dzenis Burnic
- Armina Gigovic
- Amir Hadziahmetovic
- Ermin Mahmic
- Amar Memic
- Ivan Sunjic
- Benjamin Tahirovic
Forwards
5- Samed Bazdar
- Ermedin Demirovic
- Edin Dzeko
- Jovo Lukic
- Haris Tabakovic
★ Likely starters. Miralem Pjanic, a long-time midfield star, reportedly retired from international football in late 2025 and is not expected in the squad.
The names that decide it
Classic target man with elite hold-up play, intelligent movement and a goalscorer’s instinct that has barely faded. Captain, record cap-holder and all-time leading scorer; the soul of the team. Fact: A two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, he is reported as Bosnia’s most-capped player (around 146) and top scorer (around 72 goals), and reportedly netted six times in the 2026 qualifying campaign.
Mobile, hard-working forward comfortable leading the line or playing off Dzeko. The likely heir to Dzeko and a Bundesliga regular. Fact: Brings top-flight German football sharpness to Bosnia’s attack.
Versatile, technically secure midfielder who shuttles and screens. A key link between defence and attack in Barbarez’s system. Fact: Spent several seasons in Serie A with AC Milan.
Powerful, physical full-back/wing-back who relishes a duel. Experienced leader at the back. Fact: A well-travelled veteran of the Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A.
Direct, fearless young wide attacker. The face of Bosnia’s next generation. Fact: Reported to have scored the winning penalty in the playoff final against Italy at age 21.
Breakout Player
Esmir Bajraktarevic (Winger) — A reported 21-year-old at PSV Eindhoven who already delivered in the biggest moment of the qualifying cycle. With pace and bravery on the wing, he could announce himself to a global audience and represent the bridge to Bosnia’s post-Dzeko era.
Most Underrated Player
Amar Dedic (Defender) — A modern, energetic full-back whose ability to defend and contribute in attack often goes unnoticed next to the bigger names. His engine down the flank could be quietly crucial to balancing Bosnia’s shape against quicker opponents.
Organised and patient, dangerous from set pieces.
Barbarez has generally favoured a pragmatic, structured approach that maximises Bosnia’s spine. Expect a compact mid-block, disciplined defending, and an attack designed to feed Dzeko in the box and break with pace through the wide areas. Set pieces are a genuine weapon given the aerial presence of Dzeko and the centre-backs. Bosnia are at their best when organised and patient, soaking pressure before striking; they can struggle when forced to chase games and open up.
By the numbers
Attack: Dzeko remains a real threat and Demirovic adds quality, but goals may be at a premium.
Midfield: Solid and experienced rather than spectacular, especially after Pjanic’s retirement.
Defense: Physical and committed, with experience, but vulnerable to elite pace.
Goalkeeping: Dependable without being a standout.
Depth: A thin squad heavily reliant on its first XI.
Experience: Led by one of the most experienced strikers in world football.
A history short in chapters, rich in drama.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup history is short but memorable. After several heartbreaking qualifying failures, they reached their first finals as an independent nation at Brazil 2014. Drawn in a tough group, they lost narrowly to Argentina and were eliminated after a loss to Nigeria, but signed off with a 3–1 win over Iran for their first-ever World Cup victory — Edin Dzeko among the scorers across the campaign. They then missed three straight tournaments before qualifying again for 2026, their second appearance overall and first in 12 years.
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2014
First World Cup as an independent nation
Drawn in a tough group, fell to Argentina and Nigeria, but signed off with a historic 3–1 win over Iran — their first-ever World Cup victory, with Dzeko among the scorers.
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2026
Return after 12 years
Their second appearance overall and first in 12 years, sealed via a dramatic European playoff route reportedly including penalty wins over Wales and Italy.
One World Cup win, one legend at 40, and one generation-defining penalty
First qualification only in 2014
Bosnia first qualified as an independent nation only in 2014, decades after the country’s footballers had played under Yugoslavia.
Dzeko at 40
Captain Edin Dzeko will be around 40 years old at the 2026 World Cup.
Qualification via penalties over Italy
Their reported 2026 qualification path went through penalty-shootout wins, including one over Italy.
A coach who was once the captain
Head coach Sergej Barbarez was himself a celebrated Bosnia captain and Bundesliga striker.
Only one previous World Cup win
Bosnia’s only previous World Cup win came against Iran in 2014.
The Dragons
The nickname Zmajevi (The Dragons) reflects the team’s fierce, combative identity.
The penalty that changed everything
A reported 21-year-old, Esmir Bajraktarevic, scored the decisive penalty that helped send Bosnia to 2026.
The last of a golden generation
Bosnia’s golden generation included Dzeko, Pjanic and Asmir Begovic; Dzeko is the last of that group still playing internationally.
Edin Dzeko’s last-dance World Cup at 40 is pure footballing romance.
- Edin Dzeko’s last-dance World Cup at 40 is pure footballing romance.
- Bosnia’s passionate, emotional fanbase travels and sings like few others.
- The blend of grizzled veterans and a fearless young generation makes them unpredictable.
- As underdogs with nothing to lose, they could be the team that springs a Group B shock.
Group-stage exit — with an outside shot at sneaking through.
Bosnia are the outsiders of Group B and face an uphill battle against Switzerland, Canada and Qatar. Expect them to compete hard, lean on Dzeko and set pieces, and likely fall just short of the knockout rounds — though the best-third-place route gives them a puncher’s chance.
