Bosnia and Herzegovina Names 26-Man Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially announced its 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming one of the first nations to confirm its full roster for the tournament.

The Dragons are heading back to the world stage for just the second time in their history. Their only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014, when the team competed in the group stage and finished third in its group.

Head coach Sergej Barbarez, a former Bosnia and Herzegovina international, revealed the squad ahead of a highly anticipated Group B campaign. The biggest name on the list is Edin Džeko, the legendary forward and national team captain. At 40 years old, Džeko remains one of the most important figures in Bosnian football, holding the country’s all-time records for both goals and appearances.

Džeko and Sead Kolašinac are the only two players from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2014 World Cup squad who return for the 2026 tournament.

Full Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

  • Nikola Vasilj — FC St. Pauli
  • Martin Zlomislić — HNK Rijeka
  • Osman Hadžikić — Slaven Belupo

Defenders

  • Sead Kolašinac — Atalanta BC
  • Amar Dedić — SL Benfica
  • Nihad Mujakić — Gaziantep FK
  • Nikola Katić — Schalke 04
  • Tarik Muharemović — US Sassuolo
  • Stjepan Radeljić — HNK Rijeka
  • Dennis Hadžikadunić — UC Sampdoria
  • Nidal Čelik — Lens

Midfielders

  • Amir Hadžiahmetović — Hull City
  • Ivan Šunjić — Pafos FC
  • Ivan Bašić — FC Astana
  • Dženis Burnić — Karlsruher SC
  • Ermin Mahmić — FC Slovan Liberec
  • Benjamin Tahirović — Brøndby IF
  • Amar Memić — FC Viktoria Plzeň
  • Armin Gigović — BSC Young Boys

Forwards

  • Kerim Alajbegović — RB Salzburg
  • Esmir Bajraktarević — PSV Eindhoven
  • Ermedin Demirović — VfB Stuttgart
  • Jovo Lukić — FC Universitatea Cluj
  • Samed Baždar — Jagiellonia Białystok
  • Haris Tabaković — Borussia Mönchengladbach
  • Edin Džeko — Schalke 04

How Bosnia and Herzegovina Qualified

Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic qualifying journey. The Dragons finished second in their qualifying group behind Austria, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification and entering the playoff route.

In the playoff semifinal, Bosnia and Herzegovina traveled to Cardiff to face Wales. With the match slipping away, Edin Džeko delivered a crucial late equalizer to keep the dream alive. After extra time ended level, Bosnia and Herzegovina held their nerve in the penalty shootout, winning 4-2.

The playoff final brought an even bigger challenge: Italy. The four-time world champions struck first through Moise Kean, but the match changed after Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card. Bosnia and Herzegovina pushed forward and eventually found the equalizer through Haris Tabaković with around ten minutes remaining.

Once again, the match went to penalties. This time, young PSV Eindhoven talent Esmir Bajraktarević stepped up to score the decisive spot kick, sending Bosnia and Herzegovina to the World Cup and sparking celebrations among Bosnian fans around the world.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2026 World Cup Group

The Dragons have been drawn into Group B, where they will face host nation Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.

Bosnia and Herzegovina opens the tournament on June 12 in Toronto against Canada. Six days later, the team travels to Inglewood, California, for a major test against Switzerland. The group stage concludes on June 24 against Qatar.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Schedule

A Historic Opportunity for the Dragons

With a mix of experienced leaders, rising stars, and a passionate global fanbase behind them, Bosnia and Herzegovina enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup with belief and momentum.

For Edin Džeko, this could be a final World Cup chapter. For the younger generation, it is a chance to write a new story for Bosnian football. After surviving two unforgettable playoff battles, the Dragons will arrive in North America ready to prove they belong on the biggest stage.