Bosnia and Herzegovina announced the first full 26-player squad of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 11, 2026. Head coach Sergej Barbarez named captain Edin Džeko, playoff hero Esmir Bajraktarević, and 24 others. The Dragons play in Group B against Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
This is only the second World Cup in Bosnian history. The first was Brazil 2014. They booked the trip by beating Italy 4-1 on penalties in Zenica on March 31, 2026.
You will find the full Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026 below, with each player’s club, age, senior caps, and international goals. The group fixtures, kickoff times in both ET and Bosnia local time, and venues are also here.
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup Squad 2026 (Full 26-Player List)
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Nikola Vasilj | FC St. Pauli | 30 | 25 | 0 |
| GK | Martin Zlomislić | HNK Rijeka | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| GK | Osman Hadžikić | Slaven Belupo | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Sead Kolašinac | Atalanta | 32 | 64 | 0 |
| DF | Dennis Hadžikadunić | Sampdoria | 27 | 30 | 0 |
| DF | Amar Dedić | Benfica | 23 | 26 | 1 |
| DF | Nikola Katić | Schalke 04 | 29 | 15 | 1 |
| DF | Tarik Muharemović | Sassuolo | 23 | 12 | 1 |
| DF | Nihad Mujakić | Gaziantep FK | 28 | 10 | 1 |
| DF | Stjepan Radeljić | HNK Rijeka | 28 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Nidal Čelik | RC Lens | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Amir Hadžiahmetović | Hull City | 29 | 34 | 0 |
| MF | Benjamin Tahirović | Brøndby | 23 | 26 | 2 |
| MF | Armin Gigović | Young Boys | 24 | 18 | 1 |
| MF | Dženis Burnić | Karlsruher SC | 28 | 18 | 0 |
| MF | Ivan Bašić | FC Astana | 24 | 15 | 0 |
| MF | Esmir Bajraktarević | PSV Eindhoven | 21 | 14 | 1 |
| MF | Amar Memić | Viktoria Plzeň | 25 | 11 | 1 |
| MF | Ivan Šunjić | Pafos FC | 29 | 11 | 0 |
| MF | Kerim Alajbegović | RB Salzburg | 18 | 8 | 1 |
| MF | Ermin Mahmić | Slovan Liberec | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Edin Džeko (C) | Schalke 04 | 40 | 148 | 73 |
| FW | Ermedin Demirović | VfB Stuttgart | 28 | 38 | 4 |
| FW | Samed Baždar | Jagiellonia Białystok | 22 | 11 | 1 |
| FW | Haris Tabaković | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 31 | 10 | 4 |
| FW | Jovo Lukić | Universitatea Cluj | 27 | 1 | 0 |
Bosnia was the first of 48 nations to publish a full roster for the tournament. See the full list of all 48 World Cup 2026 squads on our central hub.
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup Squad 2026: Quick Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total players | 26 |
| Position split | 3 GK, 8 DF, 10 MF, 5 FW |
| Captain | Edin Džeko |
| Average age | 26.4 years |
| Oldest player | Edin Džeko (40) |
| Youngest player | Kerim Alajbegović (18) |
| Most caps | Edin Džeko (148) |
| Top scorer | Edin Džeko (73 goals) |
| Players from 2014 World Cup | Džeko, Kolašinac |
| Uncapped players | Hadžikić, Čelik, Mahmić |
The squad blends veterans and youth. Five players are under 23 (Alajbegović, Čelik, Bajraktarević, Mahmić, Baždar). Five players have 30 or more caps (Džeko, Kolašinac, Demirović, Hadžiahmetović, Hadžikadunić).
Key Players to Watch
Edin Džeko is the captain and the emotional core of the team. He plays for Schalke 04 in the 2. Bundesliga. He won two Premier League titles with Manchester City in 2011-12 and 2013-14, and the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2008-09. His late header against Wales in the playoff semifinal forced extra time.
Esmir Bajraktarević is the playoff hero. He plays for PSV Eindhoven and won the 2024-25 Eredivisie title. He was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and represented United States youth teams before committing to Bosnia in 2024. He scored the decisive penalty against Italy in Zenica.
Kerim Alajbegović plays at RB Salzburg in Austria. He scored the winning penalty against Wales in the playoff semifinal. He is the youngest player in the squad.
Haris Tabaković plays at Borussia Mönchengladbach. He scored the 79th-minute equalizer against Italy that forced extra time.
Amar Dedić is the first-choice right-back. He plays for SL Benfica in Portugal and brings Champions League experience.
Sead Kolašinac is the only other member of the 2014 World Cup squad alongside Džeko. He plays for Atalanta in Serie A, after previous spells at Arsenal and Schalke.
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 Schedule
The Dragons are in Group B. Three matches will decide their fate. All kickoffs are at 3 pm Eastern Time, which is 9 pm in Bosnia (CEST). That is prime evening viewing for fans across Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Zenica, and Tuzla.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | FIFA Stadium Name | Kickoff ET | Kickoff CEST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, June 12, 2026 | Canada | BMO Field, Toronto | Toronto Stadium | 3:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
| Thu, June 18, 2026 | Switzerland | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Los Angeles Stadium | 3:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
| Wed, June 24, 2026 | Qatar | Lumen Field, Seattle | Seattle Stadium | 3:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
The opener against co-hosts Canada in Toronto is the toughest test on home soil. The Switzerland match is in Los Angeles. The final group game is against Qatar in Seattle.
How Bosnia and Herzegovina Qualified
This is only Bosnia’s second World Cup. The first was Brazil 2014, where they finished third in Group F behind Argentina and Nigeria, eliminated in the group stage. Džeko scored Bosnia’s first ever World Cup goal in a 3-1 win over Iran.
For 2026, Bosnia finished second in UEFA Group H, two points behind Austria. That sent them to the European playoffs (Path A).
The semifinal was away to Wales on March 26, 2026, at Cardiff City Stadium. Daniel James gave Wales the lead in the 51st minute. Džeko equalized with a header in the 86th minute. Bosnia won the shootout 4-2, with Alajbegović scoring the winning penalty.
The final was at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on March 31, 2026, against Italy. Moise Kean gave Italy the lead in the 15th minute. Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the 41st. Tabaković equalized in the 79th. The score stayed 1-1 after extra time. Bajraktarević scored the deciding penalty. Bosnia won the shootout 4-1.
It was Italy’s third straight failure to qualify for a World Cup. They became the first former world champions to miss three successive tournaments.
Head Coach: Sergej Barbarez
Sergej Barbarez is the head coach. He was appointed on April 19, 2024, on a four-year contract. He is a former Bosnia international striker and former captain of the national team. He scored 17 goals in 47 caps.
As a player, Barbarez was a Bundesliga legend at Hamburger SV. He was the joint top scorer of the 2000-01 Bundesliga with 22 goals.
He had no prior managerial experience before taking the Bosnia job. He delivered the country’s most successful qualifying start in history.
Group B at a Glance
Group B looks open. The top two teams advance. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also progress to the round of 32 under the new 48-team format.
| Team | FIFA Ranking (April 2026) | Last World Cup | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 19 | 2022 (Round of 16) | Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954) |
| Canada (co-host) | 30 | 2022 (group stage) | Group stage |
| Qatar | 55 | 2022 (group stage, host) | Group stage |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 65 | 2014 (group stage) | Group stage |
Switzerland is the seeded side. Canada has home advantage. The next FIFA rankings update is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
FAQ About Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup Squad 2026
When was the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026 announced?
Head coach Sergej Barbarez announced the full 26-player squad on May 11, 2026. Bosnia was the first of 48 qualified nations to publish its complete roster.
Who is the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026?
Edin Džeko is the captain. He plays for Schalke 04 and is the all-time top scorer for Bosnia.
How many players are in the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026?
There are 26 players. The breakdown is three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders, and five forwards.
Who is the youngest player in the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026?
Kerim Alajbegović is the youngest at 18 years old. He plays for RB Salzburg.
Who is the oldest player in the Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026?
Edin Džeko is the oldest at 40 years old.
Which group is Bosnia and Herzegovina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is in Group B with Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
What time do Bosnia and Herzegovina matches start in Bosnia local time?
All three Bosnia and Herzegovina group matches kick off at 9:00 pm CEST (Central European Summer Time). That is 3:00 pm Eastern Time in the US and Canada.
How did Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
They finished second in UEFA Group H behind Austria, then won the European playoff (Path A). They beat Wales 4-2 on penalties in Cardiff on March 26. They beat Italy 4-1 on penalties in Zenica on March 31, 2026.
Is this the first World Cup for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. This is their second appearance. They debuted in Brazil 2014 and were eliminated in the group stage.
Who is the head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup?
Sergej Barbarez is the head coach. He was appointed on April 19, 2024.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad 2026 mixes veteran leadership with young talent. Edin Džeko returns at 40 for one last shot at a major tournament. Esmir Bajraktarević carries the form that took them past Italy. Group B is open.
The Dragons have a real chance to reach the knockout stage for the first time. Mark Friday, June 12, 2026. Bosnia kicks off against Canada at 3:00 pm ET, 9:00 pm CEST.
