Bosnia’s veteran striker Edin Dzeko confirmed he will captain his nation at the 2026 World Cup, reaching the tournament at age 40 after helping Schalke clinch the 2. Bundesliga title. The 39‑year‑old admits he never imagined playing so late, crediting rigorous pre‑ and post‑training routines to preserve his legs. He also notes arriving early to training and spending 30‑45 minutes on gym work has become routine.

Dzeko’s longevity places him as the oldest outfield player at the finals, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, former Ballon d’Or winners. He arrived at Schalke in January, seeking minutes after a barren spell at Fiorentina, and responded with six goals in 11 matches, proving he has a scoring touch. His form earned Schalke a contract, giving him a shot at football before summer.

Beyond personal milestones, Dzeko shoulders the responsibility of guiding a youthful Bosnia squad that qualified through a dramatic play‑off win over Wales and a penalty shootout against Italy. He stresses the need for younger stars like Tarik Muharemović and 18‑year‑old Kerim Alajbegović to stay grounded, while he himself eyes one final World Cup appearance before retirement.