FIFA World Cup 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
On March 31, 2026, Esmir Bajraktarević stepped up to take the decisive penalty for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Italy in Sarajevo and sent it home. Bosnia beat Italy 4-1 on penalties in the World Cup qualifying playoff final, eliminating the four-time world champions.
That result put Bosnia and Herzegovina into Group B at World Cup 2026, where they face Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
This is Bosnia’s second World Cup appearance, coming 12 years after their only previous tournament in Brazil 2014. Head coach Sergej Barbarez, the former Bosnian international who took charge in April 2024, has rebuilt the squad around an ageing captain and a bright generation of young players. Bosnia sit 65th in the FIFA World Rankings as of April 1, 2026.
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Bosnia and Herzegovina observes Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) in June. All three group-stage matches kick off at 9:00 PM local time.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (CEST) | TIME (ET) | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | Canada | 9:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Toronto Stadium |
| June 18, 2026 | Switzerland | 9:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium |
| June 24, 2026 | Qatar | 9:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Seattle Stadium |
Bosnia open against co-host Canada at Toronto Stadium on June 12. The June 24 match against Qatar at Seattle Stadium could settle qualification. The top two teams from Group B advance to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams from across all groups also advance.
See the full Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 final squad for the complete 26-player list.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arena Sport holds the rights to all 104 matches and broadcasts across its cable and satellite channels.
For Bosnian fans in the United States, FOX and FS1 carry all English-language coverage. Telemundo broadcasts every match in Spanish, and FOX screens the majority of group games on free-to-air television.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Subscribers in Bosnia and Herzegovina can stream every match via Arena Sport Go on mobile, tablet, and connected TV.
US-based fans can access all games on the FOX Sports App and FOX One. Telemundo streams the full tournament in Spanish through its app and Peacock. FIFA+ streams selected matches for free worldwide in multiple languages.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Radio Bosne i Hercegovine (Radio BiH) provides live match commentary in Bosnian for fans at home. Bosnian supporters in the United States can follow the action on SiriusXM’s Universo channel for Spanish commentary, or through Fox Sports Radio affiliates for English coverage.
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup History & Record
Bosnia and Herzegovina have one World Cup appearance before 2026. They qualified for Brazil 2014 by topping UEFA qualifying Group G and arrived as one of the tournament’s more exciting debutants. They fell 2-1 to Argentina and 1-0 to Nigeria before signing off with a 3-1 victory over Iran. Edin Džeko, Miralem Pjanić, Vedad Ibišević, and Avdija Vršajević all scored during that campaign.
The Argentina defeat also produced an unwanted record. Sead Kolašinac scored an own goal in the second minute, still the fastest own goal in World Cup history.
| TOURNAMENT | ROUND | P | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Brazil | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
World Cup 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina Predictions and Analysis
Bosnia’s attack is built around two contrasting strikers. Captain Edin Džeko (Schalke 04) is 40 years old during the tournament. With 73 international goals and 148 caps, he no longer presses from the front, but in the penalty area he remains clinical.
Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart) does the pressing and link-up work that creates space for his captain to operate.
Winger Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV Eindhoven) scored the winning penalty against Italy and brings pace and directness from the flank. At 21, he is only getting started at this level. Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta) anchors the left side of the defence after years at the top of European club football.
Barbarez organises his side in a 4-2-3-1 that prizes defensive shape and counter-attacks. The Switzerland match on June 18 at Los Angeles Stadium is the group’s pivot game. A win there would put Bosnia in control of their Round of 32 destiny, with Canada the likely group winners as co-hosts.
Bosnia and Herzegovina FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group are Bosnia and Herzegovina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. Their three group-stage matches run from June 12 to June 24, 2026.
When is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Bosnia and Herzegovina face Canada on June 12 at Toronto Stadium. Kick-off is 3:00 PM ET, which is 9:00 PM local time in Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEST).
How can fans watch Bosnia and Herzegovina’s matches for free?
FIFA+ streams selected matches worldwide at no cost. In the United States, FOX broadcasts group stage games on free-to-air television.
Who is the head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Sergej Barbarez is the head coach, having taken charge in April 2024. The former international guided the squad through a dramatic playoff qualification.
What is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s best World Cup result?
Their best result is the group stage, reached at their only previous World Cup in Brazil 2014. They won one of three matches, beating Iran 3-1.
Do fans need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so citizens require a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. Visit the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina for current requirements and applications.
Who are Bosnia and Herzegovina’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Edin Džeko (Schalke 04) captains the side as the all-time top scorer with 73 goals in 148 appearances. Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart), Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV Eindhoven), and Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta) are the other key names.
Bosnia’s path to World Cup 2026 ran through two penalty shoot-outs, including one that knocked out Italy. Barbarez has built a squad that pairs Džeko’s experience with young talent, and the Dragons arrive at their second World Cup with a real chance at the Round of 32.
