Esmir Bajraktarević scored the winning penalty in a playoff that eliminated Italy and secured Bosnia and Herzegovina's place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The victory marks a historic return for the national team and represents a personal triumph for Bajraktarević, who chose to represent his parents' homeland over other options. His success elevates the profile of the squad as they enter the tournament this month.
The decisive moment occurred in November 2025 at the Stadion Miejski in Gdańsk, Poland [3]. During the inter-confederation playoff, the 21-year-old [1] converted the final penalty to knock out Italy. This result ensured Bosnia and Herzegovina's second ever appearance at the World Cup, their first since 2014 [3].
Bajraktarević currently plays for PSV Eindhoven. While some reports describe him as a midfielder and others as a winger, he has become a focal point of the national team's attack. His journey to the professional stage is rooted in a family history of survival and displacement.
He chose to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina to honor his heritage. His parents are Bosnian refugees who survived the 1995 Srebrenica genocide [2, 4]. By committing to the national team, Bajraktarević linked his athletic success to the history of his family's flight from violence.
The player, often referred to as the "Milwaukee Messi," brings a unique North American perspective to the European squad. His path from the U.S. to the top flight of European football, and eventually to the World Cup stage, highlights the global nature of the modern game.
“Esmir Bajraktarević scored the winning penalty in a playoff that eliminated Italy”
The qualification of Bosnia and Herzegovina underscores the impact of the diaspora on international football. By choosing his ancestral home over the country of his birth, Bajraktarević's trajectory demonstrates how personal and familial history can drive athletic allegiance and national identity on a global stage.
