Dzeko to play last game for Bosnia against Sweden

Edin Dzeko will play his last match for Bosnia and Herzegovina when they face Sweden on October 2. This match marks the end of an impressive international career.

The 40-year-old striker shared his decision on social media. He said it was hard to express his feelings about this moment.

In a post on FIFA’s website on Thursday, Dzeko said, “Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come. But I never imagined how emotional I would be writing these words.”

“On October 2nd, against Sweden, I will play my next and final match for our national team.”

Dzeko started his Bosnia and Herzegovina career as a 21-year-old. He scored in a 3-2 UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying win against Türkiye. He quickly became one of the top players for the country, scoring nine goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying round.

Four years later, Dzeko was key in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first qualification for the World Cup. He scored 10 goals during the qualifiers and assisted Vedad Ibisevic’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Lithuania. That win secured their spot at Brazil 2014.

At the World Cup, Dzeko scored the first goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever World Cup win, a 3-1 match against Iran.

His impact continued through the years, including in the latest qualification campaign. Dzeko scored late in their UEFA play-off semi-final win against Wales. Then the Dragons beat Italy on penalties in Zenica to book another World Cup spot.

“Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt,” Dzeko said.

“It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 occasions I had the honour of representing my country on a football pitch.”

Dzeko leaves the national team as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time appearance-maker and top scorer. He has 151 caps and scored 73 goals for his country.

His last match against Sweden will be the end of one of the most remarkable international careers in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history.