Xhaka vs Džeko · Two Veterans Who Refuse to Retire Gracefully · SoFi Stadium
Granit Xhaka captains Switzerland into what could be a genuine deep run at the tournament. The Arsenal midfielder is 33 and playing the best football of his career — he was extraordinary in Arsenal's Premier League-winning season, driving their engine. Yakin has built Switzerland into one of Europe's most consistent knockout threats — they beat Italy at Euro 2024 en route to the quarter-finals, and at WC 2022 went to the quarters before losing to Portugal.
Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) is among the world's best goalkeepers. Breel Embolo provides the striker craft. This is a professional, experienced Switzerland squad that won't lose to Bosnia — the question is whether they can beat France and Norway later.
Edin Džeko — 40 years old, Schalke, 73 goals in 148 caps, Bosnia's all-time leading goalscorer — captains this side into their first World Cup since 2014. At 40 he is still physically imposing and still capable of the brilliant first touch and layoff that defines his game. Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart) is his foil, Benjamin Tahirović drives the midfield.
Coach Sergej Barbarez — himself a Bosnia legend — had never managed at senior level when appointed in 2024. He took them to the World Cup anyway. That is a remarkable achievement. The players believe in him, and you can feel it in how compact and organised they play. Osman Hadžikić withdrew injured; Mladen Jurkas replaced him.