Bosnia and Herzegovina football team celebrates 13th anniversary of first World Cup qualification

Thirteen years ago, on October 15, 2013, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team secured its first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup. In a decisive final qualifying match held in Kaunas, Lithuania, the team defeated the host nation 1-0.

Vedad Ibišević scored the historic winning goal in the 68th minute under the leadership of coach Safet Sušić. The team finished at the top of their qualifying group with eight wins, one draw, and one loss, scoring 30 goals and conceding only six.

The milestone was marked by tragedy, as three supporters—Hasib Mahmić, Vildan Pehlić, and Almir Kasumović—died in a car accident in Poland while returning from the match in Lithuania. Following this historic achievement, Bosnia and Herzegovina has since qualified for the 2026 World Cup, marking the second time the nation has reached the tournament.