Esmir Bajraktarevic, who grew up near Milwaukee, Wisc., became a national hero for Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night, as his winning penalty clinched qualification for this summer’s World Cup and denied four-time champion Italy a spot in the tournament.
The 21-year-old former New England Revolution winger converted a brazen no-look penalty past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to complete a shootout triumph in Zenica, after scores were locked at 1-1 following extra-time.
Bajraktarevic’s strike broke the Italian hearts and prolonged the country’s World Cup drought – Italy has not qualified for the event since 2014. After beating Donnarumma, he ripped off his shirt and raised it proudly as he celebrated with a rabid home crowd at the Stadion Bilino Polje. It has been quite the journey for the American-born playmaker, who is now at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.
🇧🇦 ✅✅✅✅
🇮🇹 ❌✅❌BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 😱 pic.twitter.com/9KLVVPIUfI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026
Bajraktarevic, who hails from Appleton, Wisc., was a U.S. youth international and invited to a senior camp in January of 2024, where he made his senior debut against Slovenia under former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter. That summer, however, he decided to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a dual national with what appears to be a high ceiling, Bajraktarevic’s decision made headlines in the U.S. But for the player, it was simply what felt right.
“The decision for me was very easy,” Bajraktarevic told The Blazing Musket in October of 2024. “It was something I knew I wanted to do since I was little. It was just a process that took a while. I’m very happy I made it. There’s no feeling like representing your country.”
As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for the final stretch of European World Cup qualifying, Bajraktarevic reiterated where his heart has always been.
“I’m very proud every time I play for Bosnia,” he said in February. “It’s a different feeling. It’s where my parents come from and it’s what I’ve always thought of myself as, as a Bosnian.”
Esmir Bajraktarevic on choosing to play for 🇧🇦 instead of 🇺🇸 and chances for qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in March. Via: @ESPNnl pic.twitter.com/9dIwSv1IG5
— Bosnian Football (@BosniaNTBall) February 12, 2026
The questions will now be raised within the U.S. soccer community about whether Bajraktarevic would make Mauricio Pochettino’s current squad. That will certainly be debated, but what is evident is Bajraktarevic’s youthful flair and swagger on the ball. Against Italy, and deep into extra time, the left-footed Bajraktarevic attempted a rabona near Donnarumma’s penalty area. It flew out of bounds but that didn’t deter him from taking it even further moments later.
He stepped up confidently to take one of the most significant kicks in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s soccer history, after the Italians had squandered two opportunities from the spot. As Bajraktarevic looked down and cleverly placed the ball to Donnarumma’s left, pandemonium ensued.
