Bosnia Aims to Disprove Underdog Label, Says Barbarez

Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team aims to defy expectations and prove they are not World Cup underdogs, stated national player Nikola Katić ahead of their match against Switzerland. Despite defeating four-time world champions Italy and favorites Wales in the qualifying playoffs, and then drawing 1-1 with co-hosts Canada in their opening fixture, Bosnia is still being underestimated, Katić added.

“After beating Italy, we didn't get the respect we deserved because Italy was more poor than Bosnia was good,” commented the central defender. Bosnia and Herzegovina's coach, Sergej Barbarez, declared that his team would not play for a draw against the Swiss, despite their emphasis on compact defense and quick counter-attacks. “Tomorrow, we are playing for three points,” said Barbarez, who was one of his country's top footballers and played in the Bundesliga during the 90s and 2000s. He became national team manager in 2024 and made significant squad changes. Since then, many new players have been brought in, allowing the team to blend experience, talent, and leadership qualities, while also showcasing young players.

Barbarez commented that the draw with Canada boosted the team's confidence, as facing a host nation in the first match can be an emotional challenge for young players. “Of course, there was some tension, but I would say it was more excitement,” he added, as quoted by Reuters. The draw against Canada demonstrated that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a tough team, unafraid of attacking opponents. Barbarez and Katić added that they would focus on their own playing style on Thursday, rather than worrying about what Switzerland would bring. Bosnia's 40-year-old captain, Edin Džeko, is expected to play in the match. Katić showed respect for his teammate, saying there aren't enough words to explain how important his presence is on the field, in training, and off it. Barbarez declined to say whether he would start Džeko.