Esmir Bajraktarević faces U.S. after choosing Bosnia-Herzegovina for World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 29, 2026, 9:43 PM
Last updated Jun 29, 2026
Esmir Bajraktarević is set to face the U.S. national team in the World Cup Round of 32 in Santa Clara, California, this Wednesday. The 21-year-old midfielder opted to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina instead of the U.S., where he had a brief appearance during a friendly match in January 2024. Bajraktarević's decision was influenced by his family's ties to Bosnia, following their escape from conflict in the 1990s. U.S. player Sergiño Dest expressed hope that Bajraktarević would regret his choice after the match.
- •Match scheduled for Wednesday in Santa Clara, California
- •Bajraktarević previously represented the U.S. at youth level
- •He debuted for Bosnia in a Nations League match last year
- •Dest hopes Bajraktarević will regret his choice after the match
- •Bajraktarević's family escaped genocide in Bosnia in the 1990s
- 9:43 PMYahoo Sports — Esmir Bajraktarević chose Bosnia-Herzegovina over the USMNT. Now he faces the U.S. at the World Cup
"“He chose the other side, but hopefully he will .. regret [it] after Wednesday,” U.S. left wing Sergiño Dest said with a grin this week.
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