Topics: FiFA World Cup, World Cup 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Due to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s young age, their national had never been able to qualify for a World Cup before 2014. They came close in 2010, but lost the playoffs to Portugal. Ranked 25th in the FIFA World Rankings, the new country has played like a veteran of the competition.

Already during the qualifiers Bosnia-Herzegovina showed that it is leaving nothing up to chance. With an astonishing 8 victories, 1 tie, and only 1 loss, the Bosnian national team qualified as first, despite ending on equal points with Greece, due to a very impressive +24 goal differential.

The Bosnians are favorites to go through the group-stages

With 33 goals in 60 appearances, Edin Dzeko surely ranks first amongst Bosnia and Herzegovina’s list of threats. The striker had an incredible season with Manchester City, whom he helped win the Premier League with consistent performances. Closely in second place there has to be Miralem Pjanic. The Bosnian is virtually on all of Europe’s giants’ wishlist. The midfielder had an amazing season with Roma and, when he was not tortured by injuries, he showed why a team like PSG had offered €35M for him in February.

Edin Dzeko celebrates a goal against Greece during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers

The little magician, Miralem Pjanic, had an impressive run with his country

Safet "Pape" Sušić, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s current manager, was a football player, who played as an attacking midfielder for PSG. So far he has been doing wonders with the Bosnian international squad, but tougher times are ahead of him.

Begovic focused during clash against Slovakia during World Cup qualifier

Sušić has only released a provisional 24-man squad, which features talented players like Stoke City's goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, Sead Kolasinac, and the abovementioned Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic. 

After Argentina, Bosnia is the team most likely to make it outside the group