Goalless at Koševo: Dragons and North Macedonia share points in first World Cup tune-up

Photo: NFSBiH

The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team drew 0:0 with North Macedonia in a friendly at Asim Ferhatović Hase in Sarajevo. The match was the Dragons’ first test in the pre-2026 World Cup cycle, played in front of a full Koševo and sold-out stands with around 30,000 fans.

As he had announced, Sergej Barbarez rotated minutes: most of the active internationals played one half each, and the head coach used the game to try different formations and ideas before the trip to North America. Edin Džeko was rested in this match and, according to the coach’s plans, will step up to more serious training from Monday. Right-back Amar Dedić wore the captain’s armband. The game itself was tight and short on clear chances, though we hit the bar once after a rebound and Samed Baždar struck the post late in the first half. The only bad news was goalkeeper Osman Hadžikić picking up an injury during the warm-up before the second half. We can also highlight the Ermin Mahmić and Adin Čelik debuts in the national shirt.

Despite the lack of goals, it was a fine curtain-raiser for the home fans before the World Cup departure. Monday brings the last training session in BiH at Grbavica, then the squad travels to North America. The final friendly is in St. Louis against Panama on 6 June, and the first World Cup match is against hosts Canada on 12 June in Toronto.