Bosnia-Qatar XIs confirmed: Dzeko in the side

In the final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match, Bosnia & Herzegovina face Qatar in what is effectively a knockout at Lumen Field in Seattle, and both confirmed starting XIs are now out. Both nations need to win; three points would keep alive their hopes of finishing in the top two (even if a big goal-difference swing is needed), while a victory would all but secure progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. A draw between the two would almost certainly eliminate both.

For Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sergej Barbarez sends 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko out in the starting XI, with the veteran striker partnered by Ermedin Demirovic. Nikola Vasilj is in goal, while centre-back Tarik Muharemovic — sent off against Croatia (not Qatar) and now suspended — is absent; Nihad Katic and the likes of Kolasinac feature in defence in his place. In midfield, the combative qualities of Ivan Basic and Benjamin Tahirovic are joined by the dynamism of Esmir Bajraktarevic out wide.

For Qatar, the picture is heavier. The Asian side, shaken in morale after the 6-0 loss to Canada, go into this game with two suspended players: Homam Ahmed, sent off against Canada, and Assim Madibo cannot play. In Julen Lopetegui's team, Abunada features in goal in place of Meshaal Barsham, while creativity is expected largely from the feet of Akram Afif. Up front, names like Almoez Ali and Edmilson Junior take the field.

For both teams this game is a fork in the road in the tournament. Although the European side, Bosnia & Herzegovina, are favourites on paper for squad quality and aerial superiority, it should not be forgotten that Qatar take the field as a team with nothing to lose. In this crucial meeting where the winner goes through and the loser goes home, Bosnia & Herzegovina, led by the experienced Dzeko, are assessed as the side closest to taking a first tournament win and booking their ticket.

Confirmed XIs
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Vasilj (GK); Bajraktarevic, Basic, Demirovic, Dzeko (C), Katic, Kolasinac, Malic, Radeljic, Sunjic, Tahirovic
Qatar: Abunada (GK); Afif, Al Brake, Al Haydos (C), Boudiaf, Edmilson Junior, Fathi, Gaber, Khoukhi, Laye, Pedro Miguel

Image: Khel Now