What it means to see Bosnia and Herzegovina on stage
It’s TIME! The premier international sporting competition that happens every four years is back in session. Every national team competes to be ranked the best in the world. For many countries, qualifying to be a part of the World Cup is a victory. For my motherland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s something deeper than just a victory.
Growing up, I got to hear stories about the war-torn country; these stories were never just history; they were a part of my identity. And now, I get to watch Bosnia take the world stage. After enduring genocide, many within the Bosnian community found comfort and unity through soccer. It became more than just a game-it was a way to heal and feel connected again. Many in the community were displaced from their homes and had to leave their home country to find a better life for their family. Bosnians are now all over the world.
Edin Dzeko, who is the Ronaldo of the Bosnia and Herzegovina team, has long been the heart of Bosnian soccer. For years, he carried not just the team, but the nation’s hopes and dreams; the dream of being known. Growing up, I got to watch Edin Dzeko represent the nation with something more than just a fight to win-he was playing for history and every person who still calls Bosnia home.
Bosnia and Herzegovina faced Italy in their deciding game. This was a very tense and hard-to-watch game. After the final goal scored by Esmir Bajraktarevic on a random Tuesday in March, everyone in the Bosnian community became one. Esmir is also a child of parents who survived the Bosnian genocide. As a Bosnian-American, seeing my friends and others in the community root for our motherland reminds me that our identity doesn’t fade with distance. It grows, evolves, and we continue to show the world who we are.
From the players (who are referred to as the country’s “Dragons”), resilience and perseverance, Bosnia’s journey is not just about this one moment; it’s about generations. It’s about where we have been and where we are going. Bosnia and Herzegovina is officially coming to the United States.