Players
Esmir Bajraktarević: American-Bosnian history at the World Cup
Esmir Bajraktarević, a young player born in the USA but with deep ties to Bosnia, is preparing for a match at the World Cup. His story is not only a path to a professional career, but also a story about a family that survived the war and found a new life in America. Bajraktarević, who once played for the U.S. national team, now represents Bosnia, combining his American experience with his Bosnian heritage.
06 lipca 2026Biało-Czerwoni
Esmir Bajraktarević lifted his shirt, showing his name to fans celebrating in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, the winger began his career with the New England Revolution. The name on the shirt was changed after a conversation with his father, who emphasized that every match was a representation of the family. After scoring the decisive penalty for Bosnia in the World Cup qualifiers, Bajraktarević took off his shirt, showing his name as a gesture of remembrance to his family. His parents, refugees from Srebrenica, settled in Wisconsin after a difficult journey through Switzerland. "Srebrenica is something I will never forget," Bajraktarević said. "It's part of me and who I am. It's in my blood."
On the field against the United States in the knockout stages of the World Cup, Bajraktarević will have a unique opportunity to defeat the country of his birth. By playing for the United States in a friendly against Slovenia and then choosing to play in Bosnia, the young player pursues a dream that combines his American experience with his Bosnian heritage. "You live for moments like this," Bajraktarević said as he prepared for important matches.
At Appleton, football was the center of his life. His parents worked in factories, and Esmir trained with local teams before joining the New England Revolution academy. "I told my parents it was something I had to do, something I had to sacrifice," he recalled. He made his MLS debut in 2022 and scored his first goal a year later. In 2024, he moved to PSV, where he made his debut in international competitions.
The decision to play for Bosnia was natural for him. "I always knew it would be Bosnia at the end," he said. In 2025, he scored the first goal in a World Cup qualifier and later scored the decisive penalty against Italy.
For Bajraktarević, football became a way to pay tribute to his parents' homeland. "It's very important for me to remember where I come from," he says. The match against the USA will not only be a sporting challenge, but also a symbolic moment for the young player who combines two worlds.
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