Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić sent a strong message of support to Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of their appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Speaking before the tournament, Dalić said he was very pleased that Bosnia and Herzegovina will compete on the biggest football stage and wished the team great success at the championship in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Dalić said Bosnia and Herzegovina had followed a path similar to Croatia’s successful model. According to him, the Bosnian team created a strong atmosphere, built a good balance between experience and youth, and placed a coach on the bench who made the right decisions. He said that approach eventually brought them the result they were seeking.
The Croatian coach also noted that people from Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves had previously said that the Croatian national team served as an example and a guide. Dalić welcomed their qualification and said Bosnia and Herzegovina had a favorable group, adding that he wished them a lot of luck at the World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will open its World Cup campaign on Friday with a match against Canada. After the team’s historic qualification for the tournament, expectations among supporters have grown, and Dalić’s statement added regional attention to their appearance.
His comments were presented as a message of respect and support from Croatia toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also as recognition that the Bosnian team’s rise was built through organization, atmosphere, leadership and a clear sporting model.
