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Former Bundesliga star Sergej Barbarez has become the first of 48 national team coaches to announce his squad for the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s selection features a wealth of familiar faces from Germany, with captain Edin Dzeko (40) leading the 26-man roster.
Alongside Dzeko, his Schalke teammate Nikola Katic (29) has also made the cut. From the German second division, KSC midfielder Dzenis Burnic (27) secured his spot. The Bundesliga is represented by St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (30), as well as forwards Ermedin Demirovic (28) of Stuttgart and Haris Tabakovic (31) of Gladbach. Tabakovic’s decisive goal in the playoffs against Italy (4-1 on penalties) helped secure Bosnia’s World Cup berth.
Other prominent figures with ties to Germany include former Schalke star Sead Kolasinak (32), ex-HSV defender Dennis Hadzikadunic (27), former Kiel player Armin Gigovic (24), ex-Hertha midfielder Ivan Sunjic (29), and Stjepan Radeljic (28), who briefly trained at Stuttgart. Top talent Kerim Alajbegovic (18), who will return to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, is one of the most valuable players in the squad at €15 million. Only VfB’s Demirovic (€22 million) and Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović (23, €20 million) are rated higher.
Unlike Alajbegovic, who is still with Salzburg, the Sturm Graz defensive trio—Cologne loanee Jusuf Gazibegovic (26), Emir Karic (28), and Arjan Malic (20)—failed to make the final squad and are only on standby. Also included is Ermin Mahmic (21), who recently switched allegiances from the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) to the Bosnian federation.
Barbarez’s side begins their campaign on June 12 against hosts Canada. Their other Group B opponents are Switzerland (June 18) and Qatar (June 24).
