Appleton's Esmir Bajraktarevic sends Bosnia and Herzegovina to World Cup

At just 21 years of age, Appleton native Esmir Bajraktarevic has already acquired a variety of national and international soccer experiences that many athletes in and on his same field could only only dream of. But what about making the deciding kick that sends your family's homeland to the World Cup? That's the kind of sports fantasy that virtually never comes true.

Well, thanks to Bajraktarevic's penalty shot winner to stun Italy , on March 31, Bosnia and Herzegovina has earned a spot in the 2026 World Cup and kept Italy out of a third straight global tournament. Talk about achieving an ultimate goal. Tied 1-1 after extra time, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy went to penalty kicks.

After Italy missed the third of four attempts, Bajraktarevic's deciding, no-look boot past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to propel the country of his family into the World Cup later this summer in various stadiums throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. 🇧🇦 ✅✅✅✅ 🇮🇹 ❌✅❌ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 😱 pic.

twitter. com/9KLVVPIUfI — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026 Born and raised in Appleton, Bajraktarevic has enjoyed a meteoric professional soccer rise that began in 2021 with the New England Revolution reserve team. Bajraktarevic made his debut with the U.