Dzeko set for final Bosnia appearance against Sweden

Edin Dzeko will play his final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Dragons face Sweden on October 2, bringing an end to an outstanding international career.

The 40-year-old striker announced his decision on social media, admitting that the moment had been difficult to put into words.

In a post obtained from FIFA’s website on Thursday, Dzeko was quoted as saying, “Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come. But I never imagined how emotional I would be writing these words.”

“On October 2nd, against Sweden, I will play my next and final match for our national team.”

Dzeko made his Bosnia and Herzegovina debut as a 21-year-old, scoring in a 3-2 UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying victory over Türkiye. He quickly established himself as one of the country’s most important players, scoring nine goals during qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Four years later, Dzeko played a central role as Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the World Cup for the first time. He scored 10 goals during the qualifying campaign and provided the assist for Vedad Ibisevic’s decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over Lithuania that sealed their place at Brazil 2014.

At the tournament, Dzeko scored the opening goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever World Cup victory, a 3-1 win over Iran.

His influence continued throughout the years, including Bosnia and Herzegovina’s latest qualification campaign. Dzeko scored late in their UEFA play-off semi-final victory over Wales before the Dragons defeated Italy on penalties in Zenica to secure another World Cup appearance.

“Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt,” Dzeko said.

“It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 occasions I had the honour of representing my country on a football pitch.”

Dzeko leaves the national team as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer. He has won 151 caps and scored 73 goals for his country.

His final appearance against Sweden will therefore mark the conclusion of one of the most distinguished international careers in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history.