Wisconsin native Esmir Bajraktarevic sends Bosnia and Herzegovina to World Cup
Wisconsin native Esmir Bajraktarevic puts Bosnia and Herzegovina into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a penalty kick against Italy.
At just 21 years of age, Appleton, Wisconsin, 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. Born and raised in Wisconsin, 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.
S. National Team in 2024 and currently plays for PSV Eindhoven in The Netherlands. He was dubbed "The Milwaukee Messi" by one of his former Revolution teammates.