World Cup 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina in 4-4-2 against Lopetegui’s Qatar 4-3-3

Bosnia and Herzegovina face Qatar on June 24 at Lumen Field in Seattle, with Sergej Barbarez’s 4-4-2 set against Julen Lopetegui’s 4-3-3 in a crucial Group B match.

Henry DONCHE

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On 24 Jun 2026 at 19:33 Updated 24 Jun 2026

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The World Cup 2026 group-stage match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar will take place on June 24 at 20:00 GMT+1 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The two teams, who each have one point and two defeats after two matchdays, will be looking to return to winning ways, a result essential to their qualification hopes in this Group B dominated by Switzerland and Canada.

The Bosnians, led by head coach Sergej Barbarez, will line up in a 4-4-2 with an XI blending experience and youth. Edin Džeko, the captain and attacking reference point, will be paired up front with Ermedin Demirović. The defence notably includes Sead Kolašinac, while the midfield quartet features Ivan Šunjić and Kerim Alajbegović.

Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar, for their part, will play in a 4-3-3 with an attacking trio made up of Hassan Al Haydos, Akram Afif and Edmilson Junior. Karim Boudiaf and Ahmed Fathi are part of the midfield three, tasked with feeding the attack and supporting a defence led by Boualem Khoukhi.

This clash between two teams in search of points carries critical stakes for the rest of the competition. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar will need to rely on their experienced leaders as they try to gain the upper hand in this tactical duel.

Reading Bosnia and Herzegovina’s XI

Bosnia and Herzegovina have opted for a classic 4-4-2. Nikola Vasilj will be in goal behind a defensive line made up of Arjan Malić, Nikola Katić, Stjepan Radeljić and Sead Kolašinac. The latter, accustomed to major European clubs, brings solid experience to the back line.

In midfield, Esmir Bajraktarević lines up alongside Ivan Šunjić, Ivan Bašić and Kerim Alajbegović, a blend of maturity and freshness that will need to make the difference against a compact Qatari midfield. In attack, Edin Džeko, the iconic figure and captain, will play alongside Ermedin Demirović, forming a complementary attacking duo built around their experience and youth.

Among the substitutes, coach Sergej Barbarez can call on players such as goalkeeper Martin Zlomislić, defender Dennis Hadžikadunić and forward Jovo Lukić, offering varied options to adjust the tactical setup depending on how the match unfolds.

Reading Qatar’s XI

Julen Lopetegui has chosen an attacking 4-3-3 to try to bring Qatar’s play to life. Mahmud Abunada will be in goal, protected by a defence formed by Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Issa Laye and Sultan Al-Brake, with the latter tasked both with defensive responsibilities and driving play down the right flank.

The midfield trio will shape the play through Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam, Ahmed Fathi and Karim Boudiaf, balanced-profile players capable of moving the ball forward quickly. In the attacking department, Hassan Al Haydos, captain and playmaker, will be supported by Akram Afif and Edmilson Junior to create opportunities and unsettle the Bosnian defence.

On the bench, Qatar have reinforcements such as Almoez Ali, Mohammed Muntari and Ahmed Alaaeldin, who could be introduced to energise the attacking sector depending on the needs of the match against a Bosnia side organised in a 4-4-2.

The starting XIs

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Formation4-4-2Head coachSergej Barbarez

Starters11

1 Nikola Vasilj Goalkeeper
24 Arjan Malić Defender
18 Nikola Katić Defender
21 Stjepan Radeljić Defender
5 Sead Kolašinac Defender
20 Esmir Bajraktarević Midfielder
14 Ivan Šunjić Midfielder
13 Ivan Bašić Midfielder
19 Kerim Alajbegović Midfielder
10 Ermedin Demirović Forward
11 Edin Džeko Forward

Substitutes14

22 Martin Zlomislić
12 Mladen Jurkas
2 Nihad Mujakić
3 Dennis Hadžikadunić
7 Amar Dedić
16 Amir Hadžiahmetović
8 Armin Gigović
6 Benjamin Tahirović
17 Dženis Burnić
26 Ermin Mahmić
15 Amar Memić
25 Jovo Lukić
9 Samed Baždar
23 Haris Tabaković

Qatar

Formation4-3-3Head coachJulen Lopetegui

Starters11

1 Mahmud Abunada Goalkeeper
2 Pedro Miguel Defender
16 Boualem Khoukhi Defender
4 Issa Laye Defender
18 Sultan Al-Brake Defender
5 Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam Midfielder
20 Ahmed Fathi Midfielder
12 Karim Boudiaf Midfielder
10 Hassan Al Haydos Forward
11 Akram Afif Forward
8 Edmilson Junior Forward

Substitutes13

22 Meshaal Barsham
21 Salah Zakaria
3 Lucas Mendes
25 Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain
13 Ayoub Al Oui
19 Almoez Ali
26 Mohamed Naceur Almanai
6 Abdelaziz Hatem
17 Ahmed Al-Ganehi
24 Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid
9 Mohammed Muntari
7 Ahmed Alaaeldin
15 Yusuf Abdurisag

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Half-time 2-1 Lumen Field

Qatar

24/06/2026 20:00 Group B

Fil du match

29'But - K. Alajbegovic (passe I. Basic)Bosnie-Herzégovine, 29e
34'But - S. Al BrakeBosnie-Herzégovine, 34e
42'But - H. Al Haydos (passe Edmilson Junior)Qatar, 42e

Group B schedule

View full schedule

Group B

Team	J	G	N	P	BP	BC	Diff	Pts
Canada	2	1	1	0	7	1	6	4
Switzerland	2	1	1	0	5	2	3	4
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	0	1	1	2	5	-3	1
Qatar	2	0	1	1	1	7	-6	1