Edin Dzeko will make his final appearance for Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Dragons face Sweden on October 2, bringing the curtain down on an outstanding international career.
The 40-year-old striker announced his decision on social media, admitting that putting the moment into words had been difficult.
In a post published by FIFA on Thursday, Dzeko said: “Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come. But I never imagined how emotional I would be writing these words.
“On October 2nd, against Sweden, I will play my next and final match for our national team.”
Dzeko made his Bosnia and Herzegovina debut as a 21-year-old, scoring in a 3-2 UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying victory over Türkiye. He quickly established himself as one of the country’s most important players, scoring nine goals during the qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Four years later, Dzeko played a pivotal role as Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the World Cup for the first time. He scored 10 goals in qualifying and provided the assist for Vedad Ibisevic’s decisive strike in the 1-0 win over Lithuania that secured their place at Brazil 2014.
At the tournament, Dzeko scored the opening goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever World Cup victory, a 3-1 triumph over Iran.
His influence on the national team continued for more than a decade, including during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s latest qualification campaign. Dzeko scored late in their UEFA play-off semi-final victory over Wales before the Dragons defeated Italy on penalties in Zenica to secure another World Cup appearance.
“Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt,” Dzeko said.
“It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 occasions I had the honour of representing my country on a football pitch.”
Dzeko leaves the national team as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s record appearance-maker and all-time leading scorer, having earned 151 caps and scored 73 goals.
His farewell against Sweden will mark the end of one of the most remarkable international careers in the country’s history — one defined by goals, milestones and an enduring place in the hearts of Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters.
