World Cup 2026 Soccer Wisconsin-born Bosnia-Herzegovina star in comfortable place facing USMNT in World Cup clash By Collin Ward Published June 30, 2026, 7:07 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google Wisconsin native Esmir Bajraktarević will face his country of birth, the United States, in a World Cup knockout stage game on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old switched his international allegiance from the USMNT to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024 to represent his parents’ home country after uncertainty surrounding the U.S. coaching change, his former coach, Shan Amini, said.
Bajraktarević became an instant sensation in Bosnia after scoring the winning penalty against Italy, qualifying the team for the World Cup.
Esmir Bajraktarevic #20 of Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives before the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA via Getty Images Now, Amini, who coached him for five years at SC Wave, believes the Appleton, Wisconsin, native is ready for an even bigger moment.
“I think that his mindset is going to be, ‘Hey, this is my opportunity in front of the country that I grew up in to really represent well,'” Amini told The Post. “I think he’s going to want to rise to that level and that challenge, and I’m expecting a great game out of him.”
Wednesday’s match is Bosnia’s first-ever knockout stage appearance and just the country’s seventh World Cup game.
Bajraktarević will have his work cut out for him to advance to the Round of 16, but Amini thinks his confidence should suppress the nerves.
Amini said Bajraktarević is “the best player [he’s] ever seen come out of the state of Wisconsin,” and the winger played like it.
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Amini also thinks playing in the United States will help Bajraktarević.
He spent his entire youth career traveling around the country while playing for SC Wave and MLS academy sides.
Esmir Bajraktarevic #20 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match . FIFA via Getty Images “Knowing the person that he is, I’m sure he’s helping his teammates adjust quite a bit,” Amini said. …” there’s nothing unfamiliar for him in these venues. I think he’s going to be relaxed, comfortable, and he’s probably going to make it easier on his teammates too.”
Being in the US also means that Bajraktarević’s family and friends can attend the matches, making them more meaningful, Amini said.
Regardless of the outcome against the USMNT, though, Bajraktarević could benefit from playing against the United States as an American kid.
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Amini said he once worried Bajraktarević could become “that forgotten kid” after going overseas to play in Europe.
Playing in front of both of his nations during primetime viewing hours could fix that.
