Bosnia-Herzegovina forward Esmir Bajraktarevic will face his country of birth, the United States, in a World Cup knockout stage game Wednesday.
The 21-year-old's parents emigrated to the United States from Bosnia after fleeing the Srebrenica massacre and settled in Appleton, Wis., where he grew up playing for MLS NEXT side SC Wave.
Bajraktarevic was bound for the big stage since he could walk, always having the ball at his feet and working on his first touch.
Esmir Bajraktarevic of Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives before the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA via Getty Images
"Everyone else is talking about video games. He was only into just becoming a better soccer player," SC Wave coach Shan Amini said.
That work ethic is what made Bajraktarevic "the best player [Amini's] ever seen come out of the state of Wisconsin."
It's also what caught the eye of multiple youth-level USMNT coaches and the New England Revolution , where he made 45 appearances.
In 2024, though, despite already making one appearance for the United States senior team, family ties to the war-scarred country and coaching uncertainty in the U.S. drew him to switch his international allegiance to Bosnia.
Bajraktarevic became an instant sensation for the Balkan country after scoring the winning penalty against Italy , qualifying the team for the World Cup .
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Now, Amini believes the Wisconsin native is ready for an even bigger moment.
"I think that his mindset is going to be, 'Hey, this is my opportunity in front of the country that I grew up in to really represent well,' " Amini told The Post. "I think he's going to want to rise to that level and that challenge, and I'm expecting a great game out of him."
Esmir Bajraktarevic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match. FIFA via Getty Images
Wednesday's match is Bosnia's first knockout stage appearance and just the country's seventh World Cup game.
Bajraktarevic will have his work cut out for him to advance to the Round of 16, but Amini thinks his confidence should suppress the nerves.
Amini also thinks playing in the United States will help Bajraktarevic.
He spent his entire youth career traveling around the country while playing for SC Wave and MLS academy sides and is familiar with the World Cup locations.
"Knowing the person that he is, I'm sure he's helping his teammates adjust quite a bit," Amini said. "There's nothing unfamiliar for him in these venues. I think he's going to be relaxed, comfortable, and he's probably going to make it easier on his teammates, too."
Being in the U.S. also means that Bajraktarevic's family and friends can attend the matches, making them more meaningful, Amini said. Moreover, it means more exposure for an American kid about to play against his former national team.
Amini said he once worried Bajraktarevic could become "that forgotten kid" after going overseas to play in Europe.
Playing in front of both of his nations during primetime viewing hours could fix that.
