Bosnia announces squad for 2026 World Cup with Dzeko among the main highlights

Coach Sergej Barbarez announced the official list of the 26 Bósnia players who will compete in the Copa of the 2026 Mundo. The announcement took place this Monday morning, making the Bosnian team the first to confirm the squad for the tournament. Veteran Edin Dzeko, currently in Schalke 04 and top scorer in the country’s history, leads the group that travels to América from Norte. His Além, the experienced defender Sead Kolasinac, from Atalanta, also stamped his place in the international competition.

The Bosnian team guaranteed its participation in the World Cup after a historic classification over Itália in the European playoff. The decisive clash ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bilino Polje stadium, in Zenica, being resolved only on penalties. The result left the four-time world champion out of another edition of Copa, while the Bosnians celebrate their return to the main football scene. The team is now preparing to join the tournament’s Grupo B, facing Canadá, Suíça and Catar in the initial phase.

Selektor Sergej Barbarez odabrao je 26 reprezentativaca koji će predstavljati Bosnu i Hercegovinu na Svjetskom prvenstvu u SAD, Kanadi i Meksiku.#NFSBiH #zmajevi #FIFAWorldCup2026 #dreambigdreambih pic.twitter.com/tnmmSNEXYx

— NFS BIH (@NFSBiH) May 11, 2026

Experiência leads group for world tournament

Barbarez’s planning focused on maintaining a backbone made up of athletes who play in Europa’s top leagues. Edin Dzeko continues to be the technical and moral reference of the cast, even at an advanced stage of their professional career. Sua’s presence is considered essential to support young people who are part of the offensive sector, like Ermedin Demirovic. The balance between youth and international travel marked the coach’s final choice for the challenge that begins in June.

The defense will have the support of Kolasinac, who is going through a good moment in Italian football wearing the Atalanta shirt. The defensive sector also has names like Amar Dedic and Nikola Katic, who had safe performances during the qualifiers. Barbarez opted for three goalkeepers who have maintained regularity in recent seasons. Nikola Vasilj appears as the favorite to take over the title during the competition.

Relação official of the 26 players called up

The list presented by the Bosnian coach covers all sectors with varied options for tactical changes during games. Abaixo, the names selected to represent the nation in Grupo B:

• Goleiros:Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislic and Osman Hadzikic.
• Defensores:Sead Kolasinac, Amar Dedic, Nihad Mujakic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic and Stjepan Radeljic.
• Meio-campers:Dennis Hadzikadunic, Nidal Celik, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Ivan Sunjic, Ivan Basic, Dzenis Burnic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Armin Gigovic, Kerim Alajbegovic and Esmir Bajraktarevic.
• Atacantes:Ermin Mahmic, Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic, Samed Bazdar, Haris Tabakovic and Edin Dzeko.

Houve also released a robust waiting list with nine additional names. Caso If injuries are confirmed before debut, players like Jusuf Gazibegovic and Amer Gojak can be called upon to join the main group. The technical committee monitors the physical condition of all those selected until official boarding.

Bosnian Caminho starts against the hosts

Bósnia’s debut at the world championship is scheduled for June 12th, at Toronto. The opponent will be Canadá, one of the host countries of this edition of Copa of Mundo. The match takes place at BMO Field and should attract a large local audience due to the context of the confrontation. Logo After the first challenge, the Bosnians face Suíça, in a game that could define the future of the bracket. The end of the group stage for the selection of Barbarez will be against Catar.

The performance in the repechage gave the squad confidence to seek a place in the round of 16. The elimination of Itália served as a test of physical and emotional resistance for the group. Analistas point out that Bósnia arrives with less external pressure than traditional European rivals. Isso may favor the strict tactical application that Barbarez has implemented since taking charge of the national team.

Detalhes tactical and spare parts

In midfield, the presence of Ivan Sunjic and Benjamin Tahirovic guarantees protection in front of the defense and quality in passing the ball. Quick transition is one of the team’s trademarks during the 2026 preparatory cycle. Barbarez values ​​players who can play in more than one position in the central sector. The objective is to prevent the team from suffering from the weather forecast for the tournament venues.

Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic represent the new generation that has gained space in recent calls. Eles brings speed on the wings, a characteristic necessary to ease the game when Dzeko is isolated between the opposing defenders. Demirovic’s offensive versatility also offers variations in scheme, being able to play alongside the captain or as a single striker. Bósnia is trying to repeat or surpass its historic 2014 campaign, when it participated in a World Cup for the first time.