World Cup 2026: Bosnia's diaspora generation unites a nation still healing from war

World Cup 2026: Bosnia's diaspora generation unites a nation still healing from war Submitted by Mersiha Gadzo on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:40 The children of refugees, diaspora talent and a beloved captain have turned an unlikely World Cup qualification into a source of national pride Bosnia and Herzegovina's starting 11 pose for a team photo ahead of their World Cup Group B football match against Canada at Toronto Stadium in Toronto on 12 June 2026 (Kyodo via Reuters) Off After training with the Bosnian national team on a hot, humid afternoon ahead of their match against Canada, 40-year-old veteran Edin Dzeko strolled over to a metal fence lined with dozens of fans calling out for a photo or autograph. As he made his way along the line of cheering young supporters, his humble, shy smile seemed at odds with his status as a legendary striker and arguably Bosnia and Herzegovina's greatest ever footballer. This year, Bosnia is making its second appearance at the World Cup and, for a small European country still recovering from war and grappling with limited resources, it's a moment of immense significance.