TEAM SCHEDULE AT THE WORLD CUP
2 appearances. Best finish: Group stage.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a two-time World Cup participant (2014, 2026), playing only its second World Cup as an independent nation. At the 2026 World Cup, Bosnia plays in Group B against Switzerland, Canada, and Qatar. Head coach Sergej Barbarez (since 2023) is a former national team captain and a legend of Hamburg in the 1990s-2000s. The leaders: Edin Džeko (40, his last tournament), Benjamin Šeško (Leipzig), Dejan Lovren, Sead Kolašinac.
In 2014 in Brazil, Bosnia debuted at the World Cup as an independent country — 22 years after independence. The team played under the "Dragons" brand with Edin Džeko leading the attack. In the debut match against Argentina — 1:2 in Rio, a defeat to Messi. A draw against Nigeria 1:0 (a loss), then a 3:1 win over Iran — but the team didn't escape the group. After that, Bosnia missed four World Cups and three Euros while the Džeko generation aged. The revival came in 2025.
Qualifying was Europe's biggest story. Bosnia beat Italy (1:0 in Sarajevo + 0:0 in Turin) — the campaign's biggest upset. In the play-offs the team beat Wales on penalties, then Italy again on penalties in the final. Barbarez built the team on youth — Šeško (22), Lovren (24) — plus veteran Džeko (40). In Group B the main rival is Switzerland (a Balkan derby on June 18 in Los Angeles). Matches are in Toronto, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
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