Looking to officially punch their World Cup knockout stage ticket on Wednesday night, Bosnia & Herzegovina will meet Qatar at Lumen Field in Seattle.
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Verdict: Bosnia & Herzegovina win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:Â 1xBet
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Starting with Bosnia & Herzegovina, while the Dragons might be sat in the driving seat to drag themselves to a famous World Cup knockout stage ticket on Wednesday night, Sergej Babarez's camp are still waiting to put a maiden North American victory on the board. Despite getting their summer adventure underway with a gritty 1-1 stalemate against host nation Canada on June 12th, the Blues came crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion last time out. Completely blown away against Switzerland in California as they eventually slumped to a 4-1 drumming, Bosnia & Herzegovina have plenty of expectations on their shoulders in midweek. Set to sign off their Group B campaign at Lumen Field, Babarez's men are rightfully installed as a standout contender in Seattle and are more than aware that they can't afford what would be an infamous slip-up.
Bosnia & Herzegovina Team News
Shown a late red card against Switzerland last week, Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic will miss out through suspension in Seattle on Wednesday night. Likewise, Lens star Nidal Celik is dealing with a recent muscle issue and the 19-year-old is seen as a major doubt at Lumen Field.
While talismanic skipper Edin Dzeko might have turned 40 back in March, the Schalke marksman should lead Babarez's side out in midweek and make just a second World Cup appearance. Signing off his third campaign with Italian outfit Atalanta last month, Sead Kolasinac will start at the back.
Qatar
As for Qatar, while the Maroons might have also put just a single point on the board from their opening two Group B showdowns, Julien Lopetegui's side are seeking a real miracle in the race to book a famous bronze medal finish. Coming under plenty of scrutiny last week as they slumped to a woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of Canada, the ex-West Ham boss has seen his downbeat squad shown a string of glaring issues on either side of opening 2026. Getting the final stint of their pre-tournament preparations underway with a toothless 1-0 loss against Ireland, Qatar have remarkably clinched just a sole win from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems back over the past 10 months.
Qatar Team News
Both shown their own respective straight red cards against Canada last week, the duo of Homam Al Amin and Assim Omer Madibo will miss out through suspension at Lumen Field on Wednesday night.
Left as an unused substitute in Vancouver and remarkably getting just two minutes of World Cup action under his belt so far this summer, skipper Hassan Al Haydos should be handed a maiden start in Seattle. One-time St. Liege attacker Edmilson Junior could shoulder plenty of Qatar's threat in the final third.
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar Key Factors to Consider
- When Bosnia & Herzegovina met for their most recent battle back in August 2010, Wednesday's opponents played out a 1-1 friendly stalemate.
- The Dragons have failed to win any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
- The Maroon Ones have clinched just a sole win from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems back over the past 10 months.
- Qatar have notched just a single strike in over 460 minutes of action.
- Lopetegui's side have also drawn a blank in five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
Looking to drag themselves over the finishing line and wrap up an iconic bronze medal finish in Group B on Wednesday night, Bosnia & Herzegovina have a huge amount of expectation on their shoulders at Lumen Field. Despite their own horror show against Switzerland last week, Babarez's men are rightfully installed as a standout contender in Seattle. Watching Qatar come under a huge amount of scrutiny as they slumped to a woeful 6-0 drumming against Canada last time out, the Maroon Ones have shown a string of glaring issues at both ends of the pitch.
Verdict: Bosnia & Herzegovina win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:Â 1xBet
