Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 squad: Sergej Barbarez's latest squad ahead of March play-off

SAN MARINO, SAN MARINO - SEPTEMBER 06: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks on during the line up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between San Marino and Bosnia and Herzegovina at on September 06, 2025 in San Marino, San Marino. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) — Edin Dzeko (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jump To:

Squad
Fixtures and results
Manager
Star player
Best XI

Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad is defined by a blend of last dance veteran leaders and a rapidly accelerating youth movement.

Head coach Sergej Barbarez has named a 25-man roster for the critical World Cup play-off semi-final against Wales which includes 40-year-old Edin Dzeko as well as up-and-comers Kerim Alajbegovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic and Nidal Celik.

Article continues below

The headline, as it has been for nearly two decades, is Edin Dzeko. Now 40 years-old and playing for Schalke in Germany, the ex-Manchester City striker remains the focal point of Bosnia's attack.

Despite his age, Dzeko’s form in the 2. Bundesliga, where he became the oldest goalscorer in the league's history earlier this year, has kept him as a guaranteed starter. With Miralem Pjanic having officially retired from football in December last year, Dzeko stands as the final active member of Bosnia's 'golden generation' that reached the 2014 World Cup.

Barbarez's preferred style is physical and high-energy emphasising quick transitions.

Midfielders Benjamin Tahirovic and Armin Gigovic operate in the engine room, while Stuttgart's Ermedin Demirovic is the perfect foil for Dzeko, often doing the so-called dirty work to allow the captain to stay in the box.

Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 play-offs squad: The March selection

Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 play-offs squad

GK: Nikola Vasilj (FC St. Pauli)
GK: Martin Zlomislić (Rijeka)
GK: Osman Hadžikić (Slaven Belupo)
DF: Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta)
DF: Dennis Hadžikadunić (Sampdoria)
DF: Amar Dedić (Benfica)
DF: Nikola Katić (Schalke 04)
DF: Tarik Muharemović (Sassuolo)
DF: Nihad Mujakić (Gaziantep)
DF: Stjepan Radeljić (Rijeka)
DF: Nidal Čelik (Lens)
MF: Amir Hadžiahmetović (Hull City)
MF: Benjamin Tahirović (Brøndby)
MF: Armin Gigović (Young Boys)
MF: Dženis Burnić (Karlsruher SC)
MF: Ivan Bašić (Astana)
MF: Amar Memić (Viktoria Plzeň)
MF: Ivan Šunjić (Pafos)
FW: Edin Džeko (Schalke 04)
FW: Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart)
FW: Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV)
FW: Samed Baždar (Jagiellonia Białystok)
FW: Haris Tabaković (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
FW: Kerim Alajbegović (Red Bull Salzburg)
FW: Jovo Lukić (Universitatea Cluj)

Bosnia and Herzegovina fixtures and results

Fixtures

March 26, 2026: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
March 31, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland, Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina *
September 25, 2026: Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, PGE Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland
September 28, 2026: Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, National Arena, Bucharest, Romania
October 2, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sweden, Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
October 5, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Poland, Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
November 14, 2026: Sweden vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
November 17, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Romania, Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
*Note: The fixture on March 31 depends on the result of the semi-final against Wales. If Bosnia wins, they host the Play-off Final; if they lose, they play a friendly against the loser of the Italy vs Northern Ireland match.

Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko’s international career is the definitive story of Bosnian football in the 21st century. Since making a goal-scoring debut against Turkey in June 2007, Dzeko has gone from a promising young striker to becoming the nation’s undisputed greatest-ever player. He is the most-capped player (146 appearances) and the all-time leading goalscorer (72 goals) for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Even at 40 years-old, the Premier League winner carries a threat and is enjoying something of an Indian summer in 2. Bundesliga with Schalke.

Any physical decline has been offset by elite game intelligence and a specialised role as a pure target man. He isn't the type of player who will outrun a defence, but as Wales head coach Craig Bellamy noted ahead of their play-off, Dzeko is a player who 'doesn't need too many chances to score.'

Best XI

TOPICS

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.