Bosnia's World Cup Squad Reflects Legacy of War and Displacement

Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is composed almost entirely of players whose families were displaced by the Bosnian War of the 1990s, with many raised in Europe and North America. The tournament, featuring 48 nations, is set to be the most cosmopolitan in football history, as teams increasingly rely on diaspora talent to represent their countries. For Bosnia, this trend is not just about football but about reconnecting a nation with its scattered people, many of whom carry the emotional and historical weight of conflict.

Of the 289 players at this World Cup who will represent a country other than their birthplace, 17 are part of Bosnia's squad. These players were born in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Serbia, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Slovenia, and the United States. Among them, winger Esmir Bajraktarević stands out as a symbol of the nation's struggle and resilience. The 21-year-old PSV Eindhoven star, born in the US to parents who lived through the war near Srebrenica, played a pivotal role in qualifying, including a decisive goal against Romania and a composed penalty in the playoff decider against Italy.

Bajraktarević's surname, derived from the Turkish word for "standard-bearer," evokes the historic role of carrying a regiment's flag into battle. As George Orwell once wrote, football is "war minus the shooting," and Bajraktarević's performances have indeed raised the Bosnian flag on the global stage. His journey reflects the paradox of playing in the US, where he was born, while representing a country his family was forced to flee. In interviews, he has described home as smelling of Bosnian food and echoing with the sounds of his heritage.

The significance of Bosnia's qualification extends beyond sport. At a time when far-right movements and secessionist ambitions threaten the fragile Dayton Accords that ended the war in 1995, the team's success reminds the world that Bosnia exists and that its people continue to resist for its survival. The squad's diversity also highlights a broader trend among Global South nations, such as those in Africa and Curaçao, which have leveraged diaspora talent to build competitive teams.

For Bosnia, the 2026 World Cup is more than a tournament; it is a homecoming for players who never left the country in their hearts. As they take the field in the US, they carry the hopes of a nation still healing from war, proving that football can bridge divides and reconnect a people scattered by history.