Former Rev Esmir Bajraktarević scored winning penalty in World Cup playoff

The World Cup field of 48 is officially set, with Iraq clinching a spot in the tournament (and a game at "Boston Stadium" against Norway).

Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates after scoring the winning penalty kick to send Bosnia and Herzegovina to the World Cup over Italy. AP Photo/Armin Durgut

By Hayden Bird

April 1, 2026 | 10:58 AM

4 minutes to read

A local World Cup connection, and a look at the full field of 48: Tuesday was a momentous day in global soccer as the final spots in this summer’s World Cup were decided.

Amid the plethora of playoff games, there were also some New England implications.

First, here’s a first look at the complete field of 48 teams that have qualified for the World Cup:

The path is set. The road to immortality starts here. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MKfA6btDay
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2026

On Tuesday, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Czechia, Türkiye, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq punched their tickets to the tournament. Türkiye will slide into the same group as the United States (Group D, which includes the U.S., Türkiye, Australia, and Paraguay).

Of particular note was the failure of Italy — or, perhaps more accurately, the success of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Italians have now clinched an unprecedented absence from three straight World Cups. Italy’s last men’s World Cup game was in fact during the 2014 tournament against Uruguay (the site of the infamous moment in which Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini).

Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified after defeating the Italians in a penalty kick shootout following a 1-1 draw. The final penalty kick was successfully converted by none other than former New England Revolution winger Esmir Bajraktarević:

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BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 😱 pic.twitter.com/9KLVVPIUfI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026

Bajraktarević, 21, is a Wisconsin native who was recruited to join New England’s academy, developing over time into a skillful player with huge potential. He moved on to Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven in 2025.

Though he could have played for the U.S. national team, Bajraktarević always felt a deep connection to Bosnia. His parents fled the country amid the wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

“It’s a part of me and who I am. It’s in my blood,” he told Seth Macomber of The Blazing Musket in a 2024 interview. “It’s something that is a big part of me.”

On Tuesday, Bajraktarević got to be the player who officially put them in a World Cup.

The other local implication from Tuesday’s playoff games was the Iraq vs. Bolivia matchup. The winner would clinch a spot in the World Cup’s Group I (which also includes France, Norway, and Senegal), and a place in the second of Gillette Stadium’s seven World Cup games.

As a result of Iraq’s 2-1 win, the Middle Eastern nation has qualified for its first World Cup since 1986, and will play Norway at “Boston Stadium” on June 16.

Trivia: The final game of the 1994 World Cup to be played at the old Foxboro Stadium was an epic quarterfinal clash between Italy and Spain. Italy emerged victorious by a 2-1 scoreline. Can you remember who scored the winning goal?

(Answer at the bottom)

Hint: His nickname in Italian was “Il Divin Codino,” which means “The Divine Ponytail.”

Scores and schedules:

The Bruins defeated the Stars 6-3 on Tuesday night, and will play the Panthers in Florida on Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Red Sox lost to the Astros 9-2 on Tuesday. Boston will face Houston again today at 2:10 p.m.

The Celtics play the Heat in Miami tonight at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, Legacy FC host the San Diego Wave at 7 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

And on Saturday, the Revolution play CF Montreal at Gillette Stadium at 4:30 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Bruins on the rise: Though Boston has not yet clinched a playoff spot, the team’s recent run suggests the Bruins might be peaking at the perfect time.

On this day: In 1998, Pedro Martinez made a dazzling debut with the Red Sox, striking out 11 (and allowing no runs) over seven innings in a 2-0 win over the Athletics. Dennis Eckersley and Tom Gordon combined to close it out for Boston.

Daily highlight: João Félix added to Portugal’s lead in the 2-0 win over the United States in a pre-World Cup friendly on Tuesday, scoring with a well-placed strike off a corner kick.