A 21-year-old winger born in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Bosnian immigrants is about to become one of the most-watched players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Esmir Bajraktarevic scored the penalty that knocked Italy out of World Cup qualifying on March 31, 2026, and now he’s preparing to lead Bosnia and Herzegovina into their Group B opener against Canada on June 12.
The rise of the Milwaukee Messi
Bajraktarevic played for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer before transferring to PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie in January 2025.
He represented the United States at youth international level before switching allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country of his parents’ birth. His first senior international goal came on November 15, 2025, against Romania.
Then came the moment that changed everything. On March 31, 2026, Bajraktarevic stepped up and converted the winning penalty against Italy in a World Cup qualifying playoff. That single kick sent Bosnia to the World Cup for just the second time in their history, following their debut appearance in 2014.
