Edin Dzeko and Ermin Mahmic named in Bosnia World Cup team combining veterans and emerging talents
Edin Dzeko remains Bosnias most experienced international with the highest number of appearances and goals scored for his nation. Now aged 40, he stands as one of only two holdovers from the teams single prior World Cup outing back in 2014, joined by defender Sead Kolasinac.
The Bosnian side overcame Wales and Italy via penalty shootouts to secure their playoff victories, though Dzeko suffered a shoulder knock towards the close of extra time in the decisive match versus the Italians, preventing him from joining the penalty kicks.
Following that, Dzeko sat out four matches for his team Schalke 04, yet he returned as a substitute in their most recent pair of games, alleviating concerns about his readiness for the World Cup. In Group B, Bosnia will compete against hosts Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland.
Coach Barbarez quickly included Mahmic in the lineup soon after FIFA granted the 21-year-old, born in Austria, permission to switch his international loyalty to Bosnia earlier this month.
Mahmic has represented Austria at youth levels up to Under-21 and also gained experience with Bosnias Under-19 squad. Barbarez envisions a prolonged future for him with the senior national team.
You would not imagine how thrilled and honoured he feels to join us, Barbarez shared with the press.
He operates as a number eight or ten, bringing technical skill and a player type we lack in abundance. Someone set for further growth, helping ensure Bosnia boasts strong talents over the coming decade.
Although Kerim Alajbegovic is the squads youngest member at 18, this winger has demonstrated both ability and composure under pressure in major moments.
During the clash with Wales, Alajbegovic entered as a substitute, assisted Dzekos levelling goal, and netted the decisive spot-kick in the shootout. He also successfully converted from the penalty spot against Italy.
Bosnia have scheduled friendly encounters versus North Macedonia on 29 May in Sarajevo, followed by Panama in St Louis. Their World Cup journey kicks off versus Canada on 12 June in Toronto.
Bosnia Squad
Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (St Pauli), Martin Zlomislic (Rijeka), Osman Hadzikic (Slaven Belupo)
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Nihad Mujakic (Gaziantep), Nikola Katic (Schalke 04), Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljic (Rijeka), Dennis Hadzikadunic (Sampdoria), Nidal Celik (Lens)
Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull City), Ivan Sunjic (Pafos), Ivan Basic (Astana), Dzenis Burnic (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmic (Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby), Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigovic (Young Boys), Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukic (Universitatea Cluj), Samed Bazdar (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Haris Tabakovic (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Edin Dzeko (Schalke 04)