Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar
Both eliminated if they lose, Bosnia and Qatar meet in Seattle in a Group B dead rubber that's anything but. Bosnia sit third on one point after a battling draw with Canada and a heavy defeat to Switzerland, while Qatar are fourth on the same number after their own draw with the Swiss was followed by a chaotic 6-0 loss to Canada that included two red cards. Whoever loses here is out.
Bosnia and Herzegovina — Dragons
Tarik Muharemovic's red card against Switzerland means a one-match ban, and the lineup here has Dennis Hadzikadunic stepping in alongside Nikola Katic at centre-back. Ivan Sunjic is back fit and starts ahead of Ivan Basic, with Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic both getting the nod out wide rather than the manager going with Amar Memic's defensive solidity on one flank, a call some reports expect to go the other way given how badly Bosnia need the win. Edin Dzeko, who struggled to make an impact against Switzerland, continues up top alongside Ermedin Demirovic, with Amar Dedic retaining his place at right-back despite a tough afternoon last time out given the lack of cover in reserve.
Qatar — The Maroons
Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo are both suspended after their red cards against Canada, and the lineup here has Ayoub Al-Oui deputising at the back and Karim Boudiaf coming in for Madibo in midfield, even with Hamdy Fathy reportedly closer to full fitness and in contention for that same spot. Edmilson Junior continues up front still searching for his first goal for the national team, alongside Akram Afif and Yusuf Abdurisag. Topscorer Almoez Ali, with 55 goals in 119 caps, remains an option from the bench but hasn't featured at all so far at this World Cup.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Edin Dzeko vs Qatar's makeshift back line. Qatar are already missing two regular starters at the back and in midfield. If Dzeko and Demirovic can get in behind a defence reshuffled at short notice, Bosnia have the firepower to make their slight favourites tag count. Qatar's best hope is keeping things scrappy and hoping their front three find one moment of quality.
Prediction
This is a huge match for both, and the kind of game where nerves could dominate over quality. Bosnia have the better squad depth even with Muharemovic missing, and the chance to keep their own knockout hopes alive should sharpen them up. Qatar's suspensions leave them light in two key areas, and that gap should tell.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–1 Qatar — Dzeko, Demirovic — Afif
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