sports
Bosnia beat Italy on penalties to qualify for 2026 World Cup
At Zenica's Bilino Polje Stadium Bosnia and Herzegovina drew 1-1 with Italy and won the penalty shootout to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Apr 2nd 2026 ยท Bosnia and Herzegovina
Insights
- Bosnia drew 1-1 with Italy and won the deciding penalty shootout, sealed by Esmir Bajraktarevic's successful kick.
- The match was played at Zenica's 10,000-capacity Bilino Polje Stadium amid a vociferous home crowd.
- Captain Edin Dzeko asked fans to applaud the Italian anthem before kickoff as a gesture of historic goodwill.
- Mass celebrations followed nationwide, including a reception in Sarajevo attended by around 100,000 people.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
Sources
- Drinks on me! Bosnia's Demirovic to buy Stuttgart fans beer after World Cup qualification www.straitstimes.com
- Drinks on me! Bosnia's Demirovic to buy Stuttgart fans beer after World Cup qualification www.channelnewsasia.com
- Unbridled Bosnian joy marks World Cup qualification win over Italy www.aljazeera.com