While Serbia is recognised by FIFA as the official successor of Yugoslavia, Bosnian players have played a role in World Cup history before their countries' independence in 1992.
Bosnian players for Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia participated in the World Cup eight times between 1930 and 1990. While in the early editions they were mainly represented by Serbian players, the squads grew more inclusive over time. A notable appearance of a Bosnian player at a FIFA World Cup was in 1962, when striker Arman Spahić broke an opponent's leg in a brutal foul. Although he was not carded by the referee, he was sent home by his own federation and was never called up for an international match again.
Several Bosnian players were part of the 1974 first team line-up that advanced from the group stage unbeaten and ahead of Brazil. Striker Dušan Bajević scored three goals in one of the highest World Cup victories of all time: Yugoslavia's 9–0 against Zaire. Defender Josip Katalinski also scored during this game. Other Bosnians from that years' team include goalkeeper Enver Marić and defender Enver Hadžiabdić.
Playmaker Safet Sušić, often considered to be the best Bosnian Muslim player of all time, represented Yugoslavia at the World Cup in both 1982 and 1990. The team that reached the quarter-finals in 1990 was captained by Zlatko Vujović, a player of Bosnian Croat heritage.
FIFA World Cup record
After Bosnia and Herzegovina gained independence from Yugoslavia on 1 March 1992, the national football team was soon formed but could not enter qualifying for the 1994 World Cup as the national association was not yet a member of FIFA. During qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, Bosnia's first home match against Croatia was played in Bologna.[3] The match was held at the neutral venue due to the renovation of the Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium in Sarajevo.
Bosnia finished in third place during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, recording two draws with Spain along the way. During qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup Bosnia reached its first ever playoffs for a major tournament, where they eventually lost 2–0 on aggregate to Portugal.
The 2014 World Cup was the first time Bosnia appeared at a major tournament as an independent nation, having qualified by topping UEFA Group G.
Four players scored one goal each for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In addition, an own goal was scored by left-back Sead Kolašinac in their match against Argentina, which holds the record for fastest own goal at a FIFA World Cup at two minutes and six seconds.
1 Have been member of multiple confederations. 2 Considered a successor team by FIFA, or have competed under another name(s). 3 Team and national federation no longer exist.
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1930 to 
1990 
Yugoslavia 
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
1994 
1998 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
2002 
2006 
2010 
2014 
2018 
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