Bosnia at the World Cup 2026: Sarajevo's 40-Day Celebration of Football, Cevapi, and Coffee

The road to Toronto wasn't easy

Italy dominated possession, which isn’t surprising. They took an early lead through Moise Kean. Then Alessandro Bastoni got a red card before half-time, and that’s when everything changed.

Bosnia pushed. Edin Džeko, 40 years old, rose above everyone in the 79th minute and headed in the equaliser. Of course he did; it’s Džeko we’re talking about.

Then came penalties. Italy missed their first, then their third. But the story of the shootout wasn’t just the misses. Donnarumma’s conduct between the kicks drew a wave of criticism online, with most fans calling it a disgrace. Bosnia’s goalkeeper Vasillj, on the other hand, did his job quietly. 

Right there and then was Bosnia’s opportunity. 

Esmir Bajraktarević, born in the United States but raised on Bosnian football, stepped up and slotted the winning spot-kick into the bottom right corner.

A nation of three million people exploded. 

That is how Bosnia got here, through sheer grit.

The old warrior and the young gun

Edin Džeko is a legend of the game, having played for Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe. He has scored goals in the Premier League, Serie A, and the Champions League. 40 years old now. And he is still leading the line for his country.

This World Cup is likely his last, but he is still treating it as if it were his first.

Esmir Bajraktarević, the young protege, is 21. He plays for PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Eredivisie title in his debut season. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded 4 goals and 4 assists in just over 1,000 minutes of league football. He is quick, calm on the ball, and already carrying the weight of representing his nation in the big league.

One generation passing the torch to the next. That is the story of this squad.

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The 40-day celebration happening in Sarajevo right now

The Carlsberg Street Food Market runs from June 10 to July 19 on Wilson's Promenade (Vilsonovo šetalište) in Sarajevo. It is one of the largest open-air zones in the city, stretching all the way to the parking lot near the Zemaljski Muzej.

There are three large LED screens broadcasting every World Cup match live. There are dozens of food stalls. There are live concerts, from nostalgic 2000s pop to regional hip-hop and rock tribute nights. And there is also the official fan zone called "I Am from Bosnia" on Trg Alije Izetbegovića, with LED screens, shaded seating, quiz nights, and music programmes running throughout the tournament.

If you are in Sarajevo during the World Cup, you are not watching alone. You are watching with 150,000 other people who have waited for this moment for 12 years.

Buzzer is now an official partner of the Sarajevo Street Food Market. This is not Buzzer’s first time in Sarajevo. We will broadcast the atmosphere live from Wilson's Promenade throughout the World Cup, including special guests, entertainment, and a visit from Soheil Var, the founder of Palm City FC, whose club is holding trials in Sarajevo on June 23–24.

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What to eat while you watch

You cannot be in Sarajevo and not eat well. Here is a quick starter guide.

Ćevapi – Grilled minced meat sausages served with lepinja flatbread, raw onion, and kajmak (a creamy dairy spread). Do not ask for ketchup. Go to Željo or Ferhatović in Baščaršija for the classics.

Burek – Flaky filo-pastry pie. In Bosnia, burek means meat only. If you want cheese, ask for sirnica. They are not the same thing, and ordering wrong will get you corrected immediately.

Bosnian coffee – Served in a traditional copper pot called a džezva. Bite the sugar cube first, then sip. Do not call it Turkish coffee. The ritual is different, and locals will tell you why.

Baklava – Sweet, sticky, layered with nuts. You will need it after walking through Baščaršija's cobbled streets all day.

Bread rule – Bread is sacred. Never cut it with a knife. Tear it with your hands. Place it directly on the table, not on your plate. This is not etiquette. In Sarajevo, that’s respect.

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When and where to watch Bosnia at the World Cup

Here are Bosnia's group stage matches. All times are local to the host city.

• June 12, 3pm ET – Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (Toronto, BMO Field)
• June 18, 3pm ET – Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (Los Angeles)
• June 24, 3pm ET – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar (Seattle)

The Carlsberg Street Food Market will be showing every match live on its three big screens. The "I Am from Bosnia" fan zone will also be open throughout the tournament.

Coming up later this month in Sarajevo

Later in June, Sarajevo will also host the Palm City FC European Tryout Tour on June 23–24. Young footballers from across the region will have the chance to train with a professional club from Dubai, the same club built from scratch by a guy who was told "we don't take the guy with the camera."

That story is worth reading separately.

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One more thing

Sarajevo has a way of welcoming you. It offers coffee, keeps you with cevapi, and never lets you forget that the best things in life happen around a table, surrounded by people who care about the same things you do.

This time, that thing is football.

Welcome to Bosnia at the World Cup. You are going to love it here.