Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup Journey and Captain Dzeko's Letter to Children Bosnia and Herzegovina are preparing for their second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, following a dramatic qualification campaign that saw them overcome Italy in a penalty shootout during the play-off final on 31 March. The victory, secured by PSV winger Esmir Bajraktarevic, marked a historic moment for the Balkan nation, which will now compete in Group B alongside host nations Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. Bajraktarevic’s cool execution of the decisive penalty, under intense pressure, ensured the team’s place in the tournament, a feat that has reignited hopes for the country’s footballing future. The qualification journey was highlighted by the play-off final against Italy, a match that carried immense significance for Bosnia. Captain Edin Dzeko, now 40 and playing for FC Schalke 04, reflected on the moment when Bajraktarevic’s penalty sealed the deal. Dzeko, who had previously led Bosnia to their first World Cup appearance in 2014, admitted he could not bear to watch the shot. “I didn’t dare to look,” he wrote in a heartfelt letter to Bosnian children. “Sergej Barbarez, the head coach, didn’t either. Then I heard the explosion of joy. Our little country is going to the World Cup again.” Dzeko’s letter, published in The Players’ Tribute, serves as both a personal reflection and a rallying call for the next generation. He recounted his own childhood shaped by the Yugoslav wars, a period that left indelible marks on his life and the lives of millions. “I was six when it started,” he wrote. “I remember the first sirens, my mother grabbing me, and us hiding behind the shoe cabinet. That was day one. It went on like that for four years.#edin_dzeko #bosnia_and_herzegovina #esmir_bajraktarevic #fc_schalke_04 #the_players_trIBUTE
