Ask anyone around MLS NEXT Pro about a player who immediately showed big-time potential, and former New England Revolution Homegrown Esmir Bajraktarević will likely be their first response.
An absolutely dominant run with New England Revolution II from 2022-2023 showed he was a player with skill beyond his years across his numerous traits as a midfielder and forward. Now 21, playing in the Eredivisie with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, he's a two-time league champion who's blossomed into a first-choice starter for Peter Bosz.
Already famously eliminating Italy in European qualifiers, Bajraktarević will get the chance to show his stuff to the world in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named to the Bosnia and Herzegovina roster on Tuesday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 World Cup roster by position
Goalkeepers (3):
- Nikola Vasilj, FC St. Pauli
- Martin Zlomislić, HNK Rijeka
- Osman Hadžikić, Slaven Belupo
Defenders (8):
- Sead Kolašinac, Atalanta BC
- Amar Dedić, SL Benfica
- Nihad Mujakić, Gaziantep FK
- Nikola Katić, Schalke 04
- Tarik Muharemović, US Sassuolo
- Stjepan Radeljić, HNK Rijeka
- Dennis Hadžikadunić, UC Sampdoria
- Nidal Čelik, Lens
Midfielders (8):
- Amir Hadžiahmetović, Hull City
- Ivan Šunjić, Pafos FC
- Ivan Bašić, FC Astana
- Dženis Burnić, Karlsruher SC
- Ermin Mahmić, FC Slovan Liberec
- Benjamin Tahirović, Brøndby IF
- Amar Memić, FC Viktoria Plzeň
- Armin Gigović, BSC Young Boys
Forwards (7):
- Kerim Alajbegović, RB Salzburg
- Esmir Bajraktarević, PSV Eindhoven
- Ermedin Demirović, VfB Stuttgart
- Jovo Lukić, FC Universitatea Cluj
- Samed Baždar, Jagiellonia Białystok
- Haris Tabaković, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Edin Džeko, Schalke 04
Group Stage
Making their way to the World Cup through UEFA qualifiers, the Dragons will compete in Group B with Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. They'll open things up with a marquee match as they take on Canada in Toronto on June 18.
