Tim nasional sepak bola Bosnia dan Herzegovina resmi mengumumkan Salt Lake City di Utah, Amerika Serikat, sebagai kota tuan rumah dan basis latihan mereka menjelang bergulirnya Piala Dunia 2026 pada Jumat, 29 Mei 2026.
Keputusan pemilihan lokasi ini disambut emosional oleh komunitas diaspora Bosnia di Utah yang memiliki sejarah panjang terkait pengungsian akibat Perang Bosnia pada dekade 1990-an.
Kelayakan fasilitas milik klub Real Salt Lake, termasuk America First Field, menjadi alasan utama negara Balkan tersebut menjatuhkan pilihan akomodasi mereka di Utah.
Pelatih kiper Real Salt Lake, Mirza Harambasic, mengungkapkan rasa tidak percaya dan kegembiraannya saat mengetahui tim nasional tanah kelahirannya akan berlatih di tempatnya bekerja.
"Yeah, it's a bit of a surreal moment," kata Mirza Harambasic, Pelatih Kiper Real Salt Lake.
"We spoke about it at the club, that the winner of this playoff group was going to come and train here. I was optimistic, but tried not to be too optimistic to be let down. Then obviously when we beat Wales and then played against Italy, and finally won that game, being so excited that we made the World Cup, and then realizing, oh, they could train here."
Mirza Harambasic kemudian langsung mengirimkan pesan teks kepada manajemen klub untuk memastikan kebenaran kabar mengenai kedatangan tim berjuluk para Naga tersebut.
"So I instantly texted Tony (Beltran, RSL's assistant sporting director). I was like, 'Tony, is it going to happen?' He was like, 'Yeah, it's going to happen.' So just obviously so excited, so ecstatic." lanjut Mirza Harambasic, Pelatih Kiper Real Salt Lake.
Pria yang memiliki dua anak perempuan kelahiran Salt Lake City ini menilai bahwa kehadiran para pemain akan menjadi pengalaman luar biasa bagi keluarganya.
"My little family is kind of a culmination of that as well," ucap Mirza Harambasic, Pelatih Kiper Real Salt Lake.
"My two daughters are Salt Lake City-born, American-born, and my wife and I are Bosnian-born. For the national team to be here and for my daughters to experience something like that is incredible."
Ketangguhan mental dinilai menjadi karakter utama dari skuad asuhan pelatih Sergej Barbarez yang lolos ke putaran final lewat jalur playoff yang dramatis.
"I think the word that stands out is resilience," tutur Mirza Harambasic, Pelatih Kiper Real Salt Lake.
"Maybe we're not the most powerful footballing nation, but definitely one of the most resilient."
Asisten Direktur Olahraga Real Salt Lake, Tony Beltran, membenarkan situasi komunikasi intens yang terjadi selama pertandingan penentuan kualifikasi berlangsung.
"It was during the game," senyum Tony Beltran, Asisten Direktur Olahraga Real Salt Lake.
"I think everyone in the building, and I'm half Italian, was quietly rooting for Bosnia and Mirza to get it done. And Amer (Sasaivarevic) as well, who's also part of our first-team staff."
Pihak manajemen Real Salt Lake mengaku sangat antusias untuk menyambut dan melayani seluruh anggota delegasi tim selama berada di fasilitas mereka.
"To be able to host them and have that happen in our house, it's so cool," kata Tony Beltran, Asisten Direktur Olahraga Real Salt Lake.
"So cool. I'm super geeked."
Sebelum terbang menuju Amerika Serikat, skuad Bosnia dan Herzegovina dijadwalkan melakoni laga uji coba melawan Makedonia Utara di Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo.
Dalam konferensi pers di kantor Federasi Sepak Bola Bosnia dan Herzegovina, pelatih kepala memberikan pembaruan mengenai kondisi medis beberapa pemainnya seperti Haris Tabakovic, Ivan Sunjic, dan Edin Dzeko.
"Just a quick update on the health status. Regarding Tabaković, I've already mentioned that there are no daily updates, we know we are on the right track and within the timeframe we set. He will join before the trip, but there is also an option for him to continue his treatment so that we are sure he is ready when he joins us," jelas Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
"As if we're going to America, as if we're going on an excursion, I swear. I'm so excited, we're playing the World Cup, I'm happy beyond words."
"As for Šunjić, it's the end of the season... A minor muscle injury in his leg, but he will return by the weekend and be ready. The situation with Ivan is not worrying. Edin has had a short break, more as a precautionary measure. It's better for them to rest now than when we get to America." tambah Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Terkait kekuatan calon lawan uji coba mereka, tim pelatih menegaskan tidak ingin meremehkan tim Makedonia Utara yang kini ditangani oleh nakhoda baru.
"If you are not serious, you shouldn't rank anyone. If you are not serious and don't take all tests seriously, you will lose every match. I don't like to belittle or categorize anyone, just as I don't like anyone to do that to us. They are a very serious opponent with a new coach, and this is certainly an important match for them, they will surely try to win, just like us." tegas Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Pertandingan persahabatan ini juga dimanfaatkan untuk mematangkan taktik, rotasi pemain, serta menguji formasi alternatif sebelum menghadapi laga sesungguhnya.
"You can't attack or defend for the entire 90 minutes. We will certainly work on both offense and defense. This match is an opportunity to see everything, to give everyone at least half a game, and that's the idea. To rest some players who have minor issues, not to risk them. The match is of a serious nature, there is no doubt about that." ujar Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Mengenai kabar renovasi atau pembangunan Stadion Nasional baru di Zenica, sang pelatih mengaku tidak mengikuti perkembangannya secara detail.
"Believe me, I am not up to date on that. I don't believe they will tear it all down and build a new one; I believe the idea is to work on it section by section. I am not up to date." aku Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Evaluasi menyeluruh tetap dilakukan berdasarkan performa di babak kualifikasi, namun beberapa kejutan strategi baru tetap disiapkan tanpa mengambil risiko cedera.
"All the guys who play must give 100%; this is a match where character must be shown. No slacking, this is a test of character for them. There are some ideas, we will certainly try something different. We have already proven during matches that we can change things and that it's not that risky. The idea is to change the formation a bit and have a Plan B, nothing too special. As for Panama, that's the dress rehearsal, we won't take risks, these are initial ideas and we'll see." urai Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Tiket pertandingan di Stadion Kosevo dilaporkan telah habis terjual, sebuah pembuktian dari bangkitnya kembali semangat mendukung tim nasional.
"Of course, we see this as a result of our work because people have recognized that this is genuine and that we are giving our all. For me, it means everything, not just a lot, but everything, when the stadium is full. Our biggest stadium, and I am truly looking forward to all of it tomorrow, before and after the match. We have all deserved this, we will enjoy it, and we will give our best to make the fans even happier." papar Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Sejak awal kedatangannya, komitmen utama dalam pemilihan pemain adalah rasa bangga mengenakan jersi tim nasional demi mendongkrak kualitas performa tim.
"Barba was the same in 2024 and will always be the same. Barba believes in things, has a vision, and wants to have the right path and lead guys who are proud to wear this jersey, and that was the first condition for selection. We stick to that to this day, the quality is growing, which makes us happy. I can't wait to go to America, as if we're going on an excursion, I swear. I'm so excited, we're playing the World Cup, I'm happy beyond words." pungkas Sergej Barbarez, Pelatih Kepala Bosnia dan Herzegovina.
Dukungan besar juga mengalir dari dalam negeri, salah satunya ditandai dengan pemasangan baliho raksasa berukuran 17x9 meter di pemukiman Kozarac, Prijedor.
Donatur baliho raksasa tersebut menyatakan bahwa aksi ini merupakan bentuk penghargaan bagi dedikasi para pemain muda yang bersedia membela panah negara.
"The dream I set for myself when we were making these big posters for our footballers, for our Dragons, is slowly coming true." kata Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
"Then the idea came to me: why don't we in Kozarac welcome our national team, our Dragons, our Barbarez, our Alajbegović, our Bajraktarević, our children -" tambah Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Apresiasi setinggi-tingginya diberikan kepada penggawa muda yang dinilai selalu tampil habis-habisan dalam menjaga kehormatan sepak bola Bosnia di lapangan.
"Thank you, children, from the bottom of our hearts for agreeing to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina, for giving your all on the field. I hope it will be the same in Canada and America -" ucap Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Kepemimpinan pelatih kepala juga mendapat pujian karena berani memberikan panggung dan kepercayaan besar bagi talenta-talenta muda potensial.
"Thank you Barbarez for seeing that youth is needed, that children who love this country should be given a chance -" sambung Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Masyarakat di wilayah Kozarac dipastikan bakal memberikan dukungan penuh dari berbagai tempat sepanjang turnamen akbar antarnegara tersebut berlangsung.
"We want to show that we, the people of Kozarac, support the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina with all our hearts at the World Cup." jelas Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
"We will be with them here on the field, behind the school, in all the cafes and restaurants in Kozarac. Together we are stronger, go Dragons -" lanjut Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Harapan tinggi disematkan agar tim nasional mampu menembus babak semifinal dan bertemu dengan tim negara tetangga, Kroasia.
"Lots of heart, lots of desire, and good health to everyone. I hope for a semi-final with the "checkered ones", our neighbors who supported us greatly in the qualifying matches -" harap Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Pesan persaudaraan juga disampaikan kepada negara-negara tetangga di kawasan Balkan yang belum berhasil lolos kualifikasi pada edisi Piala Dunia kali ini.
"Many greetings to our neighbors who did not make it this time, but I hope they will be at the World Cup next time." tutur Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
"Since they have no one to cheer for, let them cheer for their neighbors, for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we will cheer for everyone, left and right -" ajak Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Pemasangan struktur promosi masif ini murni menjadi persembahan simbolis dari warga lokal demi memompa motivasi bertanding para pemain.
"This is simply our gift to the Dragons and our support at the World Cup -" tutup Enes Kahrimanovic, Donatur Baliho.
Setelah merampungkan pertandingan melawan Makedonia Utara, rombongan tim nasional Bosnia dan Herzegovina dijadwalkan terbang menuju St. Louis pada 2 Juni 2026 untuk melakoni laga uji coba terakhir melawan Panama.
