Edin Dzeko joins exclusive 40-plus club in Bosnia World Cup squad
Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko will join an exclusive list of players aged 40 or over to feature at a World Cup after being named in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s squad for the 2026 tournament.
The veteran forward is set to become only the second outfield player to appear at the global showpiece after their 40th birthday.
Cameroon legend Roger Milla currently holds that unique distinction, having famously played and scored at the 1994 edition in the United States.
A rare feat in international football
While outfield players of that age are exceptionally rare, six goalkeepers have previously achieved the milestone on the biggest stage.
That esteemed group includes Egypt’s Essam el Hadary, who was 45 at the 2018 tournament, alongside Pat Jennings, Peter Shilton, Dino Zoff, Faryd Mondragon and Ali Boumnijel.
The legendary Bosnian talisman is unlikely to be the only 40-something outfield player in North America this summer.
Luka Modric, 40, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, are both widely expected to feature for Croatia and Portugal respectively.
Leading from the front in qualifying
The nation’s all-time leading appearance maker and scorer was instrumental in securing their qualification for the finals.
Earning his 148th cap, the prolific frontman played in seven of eight Group H qualifying matches before steering his team through the play-offs.
He demonstrated his enduring quality by netting his 73rd international goal during a crucial semi-final victory against Wales.
Early preparations for North America
The European nation has become the first competing country to officially confirm their 26-man roster for the expanded tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Making only their second ever appearance at a World Cup finals, they have been drawn into Group B where they will face Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Full Bosnia-Herzegovina 2026 World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (St Pauli), Martin Zlomislic (Rijeka), Osman Hadzikic (Slaven Belupo)
- Defenders: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Nihad Mujakic (Gaziantep), Nikola Katic (Schalke 04), Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljic (Rijeka), Dennis Hadzikadunic (Sampdoria), Nidal Celik (Lens)
- Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull City), Ivan Sunjic (Pafos), Ivan Basic (Astana), Dzenis Burnic (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmic (Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby), Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigovic (Young Boys), Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV Eindhoven)
- Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukic (Universitatea Cluj), Samed Bazdar (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Haris Tabakovic (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Edin Dzeko (Schalke 04)