Bosnia and Herzegovina arrive in Santa Clara with knockout pedigree

Bosnia and Herzegovina will face the United States men's national team in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. This marks Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second World Cup appearance and their first-ever knockout-stage match. Their 2014 debut included a historic win over Iran, and now they return after topping their group in 2026 with a draw against Canada and a victory over Qatar. Captain Edin Džeko leads the side at 40 years old, the most-capped player in Bosnian football history with 150 appearances and 73 goals. Džeko reflected on the emotional journey in a Players' Tribune letter this month: “When I walk out on the pitch, I still feel like a kid, with butterflies in my stomach and stars in my eyes.” Bosnia and Herzegovina’s qualifying campaign featured two penalty shootout wins, including a semifinal equalizer by Džeko in the 86th minute against Wales, followed by a 4-2 shootout victory. In the final, Haris Tabaković’s 79th-minute equalizer forced penalties again, and 21-year-old Esmir Bajraktarević converted the decisive kick.

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In their opening group game, Bosnia and Herzegovina took the lead against Canada in Vancouver through Jovo Lukić before Canada equalized to salvage a draw. Esmir Bajraktarević, born in Appleton, Wisconsin, is one of the players to watch. The 21-year-old forward chose Bosnia and Herzegovina over the USMNT despite a senior cap for the United States in 2024. He has since earned 19 caps for Bosnia and played in two of their group-stage matches. Bajraktarević’s decision to switch allegiances appears vindicated after helping Bosnia reach the knockout rounds. PSV teammate Sergiño Dest joked this week: “He chose the other side, but hopefully he will... regret it after Wednesday.”

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Bosnia and Herzegovina’s resilience against higher-ranked opponents has been a hallmark of their campaign. Their path to the Round of 32 includes wins over Italy and Wales in playoff shootouts, underlining their ability to compete under pressure. The match in Santa Clara represents a rare opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance further in a World Cup, having never previously progressed beyond the group stage.