Appleton's Esmir Bajraktarević will take on USA in World Cup on July 1

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Appleton's Esmir Bajraktarević will take on USA in World Cup on July 1

JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tue, Jun 30, 2026 ·

2 min read

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Appleton-born Esmir Bajraktarević, who played youth soccer in the Milwaukee area, will have a chance to knock out his native country from the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup on July 1 when Bosnia and Herzegovina take on the United States in the round of 32.

Taking place in Santa Clara, California – home to the San Francisco 49ers – the game will begin at 7 p.m. CT, airing on Fox and streaming on Peacock.

Just 21 years old, Bajraktarević delivered a match-winning penalty kick to keep Italy from the World Cup . He has started two of his team's three matches in pool play, playing the full match against Qatar in a 3-1 win. Bosnia and Herzegovina also lost to Switzerland and tied Canada , a team led by manager Jesse Marsch, who hails from Racine.

Esmir Bajraktarevic of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores a winning penalty during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026, in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Getty Images)

Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Esmir Bajraktarevic kicks the ball and scores during the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy.
(Elvis Barukcic / Getty Images)

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Finals - Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy - Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina - March 31, 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina's Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates scoring their winning penalty in the penalty shootout to qualify for the FIFA World Cup REUTERS/Amel Emric
(Amel Emric, REUTERS)

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates scoring the winning penalty in the shootout to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
(Amel Emric / Reuters)

Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Esmir Bajraktarevic, a native of Appleton, Wisconsin, celebrates after scoring during the penalty shootout to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(Elvis Barukcic / Getty Images)

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates scoring the winning penalty in the shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(Matteo Ciambelli / Reuters)

Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Esmir Bajraktarevic (left) fights for the ball with Italy's Federico Dimarco during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(Elvis Barukcic / AFP via Getty Images)

French referee Clement Turpin talks to Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Esmir Bajraktarevic as Italy defender Gianluca Mancini (left) and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (right) look on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(Elvis Barukcic / AFP via Getty Images)

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Esmir Bajraktarevic in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(Amel Emric / Reuters)

Supporters of Bosnia and Herzegovina's national soccer team gather to celebrate in the early hours of April 1, 2026, in downtown Sarajevo after Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, following its win over Italy in the European qualification final football match played at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 31, 2026.
(AFP via Getty Images)

Paul Tenorio of The Athletic wrote a full profile of Bajraktarević on June 28, detailing his decision to represent his parents' home country. They fled into the woods and then out of the country to escape Bosnian genocide in 1995, killings that cost Bajraktarević uncles and his paternal grandfather. Elmir and Emina Bajraktarević worked in Appleton factories once they immigrated.

Competing with the SC Wave from age 13 to 16 in the Milwaukee area, Bajraktarević supposedly picked up the "Milwaukee Messi" nickname, though his origins are squarely in Appleton, where he started high school at Appleton North.

Noticing their son's talent for soccer, Elmir and Emina asked former Marquette University soccer player Kevin Wasco to help Esmir develop his skills. Wasco helped cart Esmir to Milwaukee for club matches, along with Wasco's son, and connected him with the New England Revolution , prompting Bajraktarević to move out east and play on the Major League Soccer program's academy team. He made his MLS debut in 2022.

Bajraktarević even participated in a Team USA camp before flipping his international allegiance in 2024. He has been playing club soccer with Dutch club PSV since early 2025.