Only one step remains for the two European second-round qualification teams. Bosnia vs Italy in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Final on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are one win away from a first World Cup ticket in years, but Italy stand in the way in a high-pressure UEFA play-off final in Zenica.
Bosnia survived a tense shootout against Wales, while Italy booked their place with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
UEFA’s preview says Bosnia have not beaten Italy in five straight meetings, though home support and Edin Džeko’s big-game presence should keep this one tight.
Bosnia vs Italy – Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Match: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy.
- Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA play-off final.
- Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Time: 20:45 CET / 3:45 PM ET.
- Stadium: Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica.
- Broadcast: UEFA directs fans to local European Qualifiers broadcast partners; the preview page does not name a single U.S. channel.
Team News and Analysis
Bosnia and Herzegovina Preview
Bosnia and Herzegovina come into this final after a nerve-shredding shootout win in Wales, and they now get the chance to finish the job at home.
UEFA says Sergej Barbarez is expected to keep his core lineup, with Edin Džeko and Ermedin Demirović leading the attack.
That combination gives Bosnia real threat, especially with the energy of Amar Dedić and the experience of Sead Kolašinac behind them.
Their biggest strength is not just the atmosphere in Zenica, but the fact that they can stay direct and dangerous when the game opens up.
Džeko remains the headline man, and Bosnia will try to turn this into a physical, emotional contest rather than a clean possession game. If they can keep Italy from settling early, they will believe the upset is possible.
Italy Preview
Italy arrived in the final with a controlled 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, and that result helped ease the pressure after another tense qualifying path.
Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean were the scorers, and UEFA’s possible line-up shows Gennaro Gattuso leaning on a strong spine with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Calafiori, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolò Barella, Tonali, and Kean.
The Azzurri’s edge is balance. They have quality on the ball, more control in midfield, and enough attacking depth to hurt Bosnia from wide areas and in transition.
If Federico Dimarco and Matteo Politano get space, Italy should generate chances, while Donnarumma gives them a calm base at the back.
Head-to-Head Statistics
UEFA says this will be the seventh meeting between the sides. Italy have won four, Bosnia and Herzegovina have won once, and one match ended in a draw. Bosnia’s only win over Italy came in their first meeting, a 2-1 friendly in Sarajevo in 1996.
Those meetings show a clear pattern: Italy usually control the matchup, but Bosnia have had enough moments to make it interesting.
| Date | Competition Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Friendly | Bosnia 2-1 Italy |
| 11 June 2019 | EURO 2020 Qualifying | Italy 2-1 Bosnia |
| 4 September 2020 | UEFA Nations League | Italy 1-1 Bosnia |
| 18 November 2020 | UEFA Nations League | Bosnia 0-2 Italy |
Bosnia vs Italy Starting XI
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedić, Katić, Muharemović, Kolašinac; Memić, Hadžiahmetović, Bajraktarević, Alajbegović; Džeko, Demirović
- Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Esposito.
Key Players to Watch
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Edin Džeko, Ermedin Demirović, Amar Dedić, Sead Kolašinac, Nikola Vasilj. Džeko remains the main goal threat, while Demirović gives Bosnia another real finishing option.
- Italy: Sandro Tonali, Moise Kean, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nicolò Barella, Federico Dimarco. Tonali and Kean were decisive in the semi-final, and Donnarumma gives Italy the kind of security that matters in a one-off final.
Match Prediction
This should be tense and competitive, especially in Zenica, but Italy look a little stronger in midfield and a little sharper in the final third. Bosnia will have chances, especially through Džeko, yet Italy’s recent semi-final win and deeper squad give them the edge.
- Prediction: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Italy.
Where to Watch Bosnia vs Italy
UEFA says fans should check their local European Qualifiers broadcast partner(s) for TV coverage. For U.S. viewers, the official match page does not list a single fixed American broadcaster, so local listings are the safest check closer to kick-off.
| Region | Live Broadcast Options |
|---|---|
| United States | Fox Sports 1 (FS1), Vix (Spanish), and Fubo |
| United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video (Pay-Per-View) |
| Italy | RaiPlay (Free live stream) |
| Australia | Stan Sport |
| Canada | DAZN |
When is Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy?
Bosnia vs Italy final playoff will match held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
What time does Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy kick off?
20:45 CET, which is about 3:45 PM ET.
Where is the match being played?
Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica.
Where can I watch it?
UEFA directs viewers to local European Qualifiers broadcast partners.
Who is the favorite team?
Italy are the slight favorite on paper, but Bosnia and Herzegovina’s home advantage makes this much closer than a normal final. That is an inference based on Italy’s stronger recent result and the official UEFA preview.
