The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team; ; represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in men's international football competitions. It is governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina following country's independence from Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992.
The team played its first official international match on 30th November 1995 against Albania in Tirana, coming just nine days after the signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has reached two major tournaments in its history to date; the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage and earned their first win over Iran, and most recently in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team advanced to the knockout stage. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently the only national team in the world to have qualified twice for the World Cup while failing to ever qualify for its continental championship, joining the former East Germany as one of only two national teams in the world to have appeared in a World Cup without ever competing in their continental championship.
The team's highest FIFA World Ranking was 13th, which they achieved in August 2013.
History
From the creation of Yugoslavia in 1918 to the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992, players from the modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina lined up for Yugoslavia, but following their independence and devastating Bosnian War, a new football nation arose from the ashes.
Following acceptance into FIFA, Bosnia and Herzegovina entered 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to compete for a place in a major competition. Bosnia and Herzegovina finished fourth in a group that included Greece, Denmark (reached Quarter-finals), Croatia (finishing third) and Slovenia. During 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, Bosnia and Herzegovina also finished in fourth in a group with Spain (eventual tournament Quarter-finalist).
This early period was followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina coming very close to qualifying directly for their first major competition, UEFA Euro 2004, narrowly missing out by a single goal against Denmark (needing a victory to top the group). Bosnia and Herzegovina failed to make the grade in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite being unbeaten at home (drawing twice with Spain). The national team then experienced double heartbreak, bowing out twice in the playoffs to Portugal. First 2–0 on aggregate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-offs decider (having been grouped with UEFA Euro 2008 champion and eventual 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain during qualifying phase) and then 6–2 on aggregate in the UEFA Euro 2012 play-offs decider after finishing second by a point to France.
2014 FIFA World Cup
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, their first major tournament, by beating Lithuania in October 2013 during UEFA qualifying that also included Greece and Slovakia. At the tournament, Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in a group which included Argentina and won their first match 3–1 over Iran. Nigeria (2013 Africa Cup of Nations champion) pipped them for second place in the group with a 1–0 win marred with controversy following an incorrectly-disallowed goal by Edin Džeko in the first half.
In the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers, Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third behind Belgium and Wales. After a bad start to the qualifiers with a surprise 2–1 defeat at home against Cyprus and managing just two points in four games, Safet Sušić was dismissed and replaced by Mehmed Baždarević. With five wins in their remaining six matches, including victories over Wales and Israel along with three clean sheets Bosnia and Herzegovina ultimately failed to qualify after a two legged playoff encounter with the Republic of Ireland. Bosnia and Herzegovina failed to make back-to-back FIFA World Cups after failing to qualify to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina won their UEFA Nations League group and guaranteed a playoffs berth for UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. Still, they finished fourth in their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying group with the manager Robert Prosinečki, missing out on direct qualification and entered the playoffs, and with new manager Dušan Bajević, they ultimately missed out on yet another Euro after losing to Northern Ireland on penalties. They finished bottom of Group 1 in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A, thus relegating them to the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B.
Following several years of disappointment, Bulgarian Ivaylo Petev was named as Bosnia and Herzegovina's new manager, marking the first time a Bosnia and Herzegovina manager was not from the former Yugoslavia. In their first campaign under Petev, Bosnia and Herzegovina were drawn into a group with 2018 FIFA World Cup champions France and kept their chances of qualification alive until the final two matches; ultimately failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also led the team to winning Group 3 of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B, thus earning promotion back to 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A and guaranteed a play-off berth for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. They suffered disappointment in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying group that saw three managers: Faruk Hadžibegić, Meho Kodro and Savo Milošević pick up only one win each for a total of 9 points and entered the playoffs. Bosnia and Herzegovina failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2024 after conceding two late goals, losing 2–1 to Ukraine.
2026 FIFA World Cup In April 2024, former national team captain Sergej Barbarez was appointed manager. He debuted in friendlies against England and Italy. After relegation from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A (posting their worst loss in history to Germany), Bosnia and Herzegovina played well in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Following their victory over Romania at home on 15 November, Barbarez's side needed to defeat Austria in the final group match to qualify directly for the World Cup. Despite holding on to a 1–0 lead until the 77th minute, the match ended in a draw. As a result, Barbarez's team finished second in the group, two points behind Austria, securing a spot in the playoffs. In the playoffs, they defeated both Wales and Italy on penalties, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and marking their second appearance as an independent nation.
UEFA Play-offs final:
At the tournament, Bosnia and Herzegovina finished in third with four points following a victory over Qatar (2023 AFC Asian Cup champion) as one of the eight best third-place teams, allowing them to progress to the knockout stage; a historic first for the nation.
In the round of 32, Bosnia and Herzegovina played against the United States. In the 45th minute, the US took the lead when Folarin Balogun scored. In the 64th minute, Balogun was sent-off with a straight red card after fouling Tarik Muharemović. Despite numerical superiority, Bosnia and Herzegovina struggled to convert their advantage, before Malik Tillman made it 2–0 in the 82nd minute when he scored from a free-kick, ensuring the US' progress to the round of 16.
Team image Nickname A popular nickname of all Bosnian national teams is "Zmajevi" (the Dragons), in reference to the military commander Husein Gradaščević, the "Dragon of Bosnia", who led an uprising against the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. The term was originally popularised by football TV commentator Mustafa Mijajlović during the Belgium vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (2–4) 2010 WC qualification game on 28 March 2009.
In both local and foreign media, they are sometimes referred to as the Golden Lilies, which was the original nickname given to all of the country's national teams by fans after independence, in reference to the official state insignia at the time (the flag and the coat of arms), which itself referred to the golden lily, the historical state insignia that was featured on the coat of arms of the ruling Bosnian medieval Kotromanić dynasty.
Home stadiums Currently, the national team uses Bilino Polje Stadium as its main home ground. The stadium has a capacity of 15,292. The stadium has a grass surface. There are plans for a new stadium at the same site.
Other stadiums Bosnia and Herzegovina has used are Grbavica Stadium and Koševo City Stadium.
Its training ground for domestic matches is the Bosnia and Herzegovina FA Training Centre in Zenica, which was opened in 2013 in conjunction with UEFA.
Supporters
A large number of the national team's supporters come from Northern and Western Europe, North America, and Australia, particularly among their sizeable Bosnian diaspora communities. Most fans are members of BHFanaticos, Belaj Boys, BHLegion, Armija Zmajeva (Dragons Army) and Ljuti Krajišnici groups.
Kits
Bosnia and Herzegovina's traditional kit colours are blue and white, taken from the country's flag.
The team kit is currently produced by Spanish sports company Kelme. The general sponsor of the team is m:tel. Also sponsoring the team are Coca-Cola, ASA Osiguranje, and Privredna banka Sarajevo.
The table below shows the history of kit manufacturers for the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina: PeriodKit Provider1996–1999 Patrick1999–2000 Adidas2000–2005 Reusch2005–2014 Legea2014–2023 Adidas2023–present Kelme
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2025
2026
Coaching staff
Current technical staff PositionNameHead coach Sergej BarbarezAssistant coaches Zlatan Bajramović Mirko Hrgović Ninoslav MilenkovićGoalkeeping coach Branko KatićFitness coaches Marko Čavka Nedim ČovićScouts Siniša Mrkobrada Saša PapacVideo analysts Rasmus Jansson Jasmin KolašinacTeam doctors Adnan Hadžimuratović Reuf KarabegPhysiotherapists Siniša Ćebić Ismar Hadžibajrić Raif ZebaTechnical director Emir SpahićTeam manager Adi OsmanovićMedia officer Dinko Čeko
Coaching history
NameFromToAchievements 30 November 19957 November 1997 14 May 199827 January 1999 10 March 19999 October 1999 (caretaker)18 August 199918 August 1999 24 January 20001 January 2002 27 March 200211 October 2006 21 December 200617 December 2007 5 January 200817 May 2008 (caretaker)18 May 200830 June 2008 10 July 200812 December 2009 29 December 200917 November 20142014 FIFA World Cup – Group stage 13 December 201410 October 20172016 Kirin Cup – Winners 4 January 201827 November 20192018–19 UEFA Nations League B – Promoted 21 December 201918 November 2020 21 January 202131 December 20222022–23 UEFA Nations League B – Promoted 4 January 202323 June 2023 3 August 202321 September 2023 29 September 202321 March 2024 19 April 2024Present2026 FIFA World Cup – Round of 32TotalFive achievements
Players Current squad The following players were called up for the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League B matches in September and October. Caps and goals are correct , after the match against Poland.
Recent call-ups The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last twelve months:
Notes PRE = Preliminary squad INJ = Withdrawn due to injury or illness RET = Retired from the national team SUS = Suspended WD = Withdrawn
Individual records
Players in bold are still active with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Most appearances
RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer1Edin Džeko152732007–20262Miralem Pjanić115182008–20243Emir Spahić9462003–20184Zvjezdan Misimović85252004–20185Vedad Ibišević83282007–20186Sead Kolašinac7302013–present 7Asmir Begović6302009–20208Haris Medunjanin6092009–20189Senad Lulić5742008–201710Ibrahim Šehić5502010–2024Edin Višća55102010–2020
Top goalscorers RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer1Edin Džeko (list)731522007–20262Vedad Ibišević28832007–20183Zvjezdan Misimović25852004–20184Elvir Bolić22511996–20065Miralem Pjanić181152008–20246Sergej Barbarez17471998–20067Elvir Baljić14381996–20058Zlatan Muslimović12302006–20119Edin Višća10552010–202010Haris Medunjanin9602009–2018
Most clean sheets