Wisconsin Born, Bosnia’s World Cup Hope | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 1, 2026 · 1m

A Wisconsin-born soccer star, Esmir Bajraktarevic, is set to face his birth country in the World Cup knockout stage—this time representing Bosnia-Herzegovina, the land of his parents’ exile. Fleeing genocide in the 1990s, his family built a new life in America, but Esmir’s heart remains tied to his heritage. Rising through local clubs and European academies, he earned a spot with the U.S. national team before choosing Bosnia—a decision sealed by his dramatic penalty that knocked Italy out of the tournament. Now, as Bosnia battles the U.S., Bajraktarevic’s performance carries deep personal…