Dzeko Urges Bosnian Fans to Applaud Italy and Their Anthem in Play-off Final

Bosnia and Herzegovina national team captain Edin Dzeko has called on his country's supporters to show respect to Italy by applauding their national anthem before their crucial World Cup play-off final on Tuesday. Dzeko highlighted Italy's significant support, noting they played friendly matches in Bosnia after the 1996 war, for which Bosnians are "always grateful."

The Italian national team, the Azzurri, will travel to Zenica to compete against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup. Italy, currently the highest-ranked team globally yet to secure qualification, must win away from home to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup tournament.

Italy advanced to this play-off final by defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo, with second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. Meanwhile, Dzeko himself scored an equalizer in the 86th minute, leading Bosnia to a penalty shootout victory over Wales in Cardiff on the same evening.

Ahead of Tuesday evening's decisive play-off match, there has been much discussion from both camps. However, Dzeko has urged a display of respect towards Italy and its national team, acknowledging their past gestures of goodwill during Bosnia's challenging times.

"Everyone should stand up and applaud when the Italian anthem begins. Italy came to play friendly matches after the Bosnian war in 1996. For this, we are always grateful," Dzeko stated during his pre-match press conference. "After that, for 90 minutes, it will be a battle. Friends afterward, just like before. Whatever happens, happens."

Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina have met six times in their history. Italy has secured four victories, drawn once, and suffered one defeat.

Bosnia inflicted Italy's sole loss in their very first encounter in 1996, when an Azzurri squad, led by Arrigo Sacchi, traveled to Sarajevo for a friendly match shortly after the conclusion of the Bosnian war. That Italian team boasted stars such as Paolo Maldini, Dino Baggio, Roberto Di Matteo, Gianfranco Zola, and Enrico Chiesa. The latter two combined for Italy's only goal in a match that ended in a 2-1 defeat to the newly formed national side of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All subsequent meetings between Italy and Bosnia have occurred within the last seven years. They competed twice in qualification for EURO 2020 (both resulting in Italian victories), twice during the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, and once in an international friendly just before EURO 2024.

Image description: The photograph shows Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina reacting during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany on October 11, 2024, in Zenica.