Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez has unveiled a World Cup squad that blends experienced stalwarts with exciting new talent, led by legendary striker Edin Dzeko and featuring uncapped midfielder Ermin Mahmic. Dzeko, now 40, remains Bosnia’s most-capped player and all-time top scorer, and is one of just two players—alongside defender Sead Kolasinac—returning from Bosnia’s historic maiden World Cup appearance in 2014.
Bosnia secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after dramatic penalty shootout victories over Wales and Italy, despite Dzeko missing the shootout against Italy due to a shoulder injury. After a brief injury layoff, Dzeko has returned to action with Schalke 04, reassuring Bosnian fans of his fitness ahead of the group stage, where Bosnia will face Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B.
The squad’s new face is 21-year-old Ermin Mahmic, whose switch in national allegiance was recently approved by FIFA. Austrian-born Mahmic, who has played for Austria’s youth teams and Bosnia’s U19s, is highly rated by Barbarez: “He plays in the position of eight and 10, he has depth, the profile of a player that we don’t have much. A player who will continue to develop, with the aim that Bosnia will have good players in the next 10 years.”
Another young standout is 18-year-old winger Kerim Alajbegovic, whose penalty heroics helped Bosnia secure their World Cup spot. Barbarez’s squad also includes a solid mix of homegrown and Europe-based talent across all positions.
Bosnia will play warm-up matches against North Macedonia and Panama before kicking off their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Canada on June 12 in Toronto.
Bosnia 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislic, Osman Hadzikic
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac, Amar Dedic, Nihad Mujakic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Stjepan Radeljic, Dennis Hadzikadunic, Nidal Celik
Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic, Ivan Sunjic, Ivan Basic, Dzenis Burnic, Ermin Mahmic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Armin Gigovic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic, Samed Bazdar, Haris Tabakovic, Edin Dzeko
Bosnia’s blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise sets the stage for a compelling return to football’s grandest stage.
