Dzeko could join oldest players in World Cup history as Bosnia host Italy on March 31
dzeko is one victory away from featuring at a World Cup after the 40-year-old scored a late equaliser to force extra time and help Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Wales on penalties in the play-off semi-final.
What If Dzeko features at the World Cup?
Reached by a decisive late goal at minute 86 in the Cardiff match, Dzeko kept Bosnia alive and set up a Final with Italy. If he plays at the upcoming tournament it would end a 12-year absence from World Cup finals for him and place him among a handful of players aged 40 or over to appear at a World Cup. Only one outfield player has previously done so — Roger Milla for Cameroon at the 1994 USA World Cup — while a small group of goalkeepers have also featured at 40-plus.
Across his international career Dzeko has been a consistent presence: 73 goals in 147 appearances and the unusual streak of scoring in every year for the past two decades. At club level he returned to Serie A last summer to sign for Fiorentina and defended his fitness and form with a public statement that age does not make him a write-off. A subsequent change of club saw him leave Fiorentina and, in the context provided, move to another side where he found a scoring run that reinvigorated his club form.
What Happens in the play-off Final with Italy?
The Final is set for the Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31, with kick-off to be either 18: 00 CET or 20: 45 CET. Bosnia reached this match after a penalty shootout victory in which their keeper, and a decisive spot-kick from Kerim Alajbegović, secured passage. Wales had led through a Daniel James goal at minute 51 before Dzeko drew Bosnia level late on; no goals came in extra time.
Italy arrive after a 2-0 win in their semi-final, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. The Final therefore pits a team that relied on a clutch late equaliser and a penalty shootout against an Azzurri side that won its semi-final in regular time.
- Best case: Dzeko starts, Bosnia win the Final and he features at the World Cup, joining the small group of 40-plus outfield players at the finals.
- Most likely: Dzeko plays a role off the bench or starts depending on tactics; Bosnia mount a strong challenge but face a difficult match against Italy in Zenica.
- Most challenging: Fitness, form or match events prevent Dzeko from playing or Bosnia lose to Italy, denying him a return to the World Cup stage after a 12-year gap.
What Should players and fans expect next for dzeko?
For Bosnia and for Dzeko this Final is an inflection point: a single result will determine whether a veteran striker returns to football’s biggest stage. The immediate facts are clear — a late goal in Cardiff, a successful penalty shootout, and a one-off Final at Bilino Polje determine the outcome. Observers should expect a tightly contested match in Zenica where match management, set plays and penalty preparedness will matter; Italy enter having won their semi-final in regular time, while Bosnia arrive with momentum from a dramatic shootout. Uncertainty remains over kick-off time and final line-ups, and any assessment must acknowledge that one match can change everything for dzeko
