Edin Dzeko has announced his retirement from international football.
The 40-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international has won 151 caps and scored 73 goals for his country, with both tallies standing as a records.
He featured at the 2026 World Cup finals this summer, helping Bosnia reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history as an independent nation. They were eliminated in the round of 32 by United States.
In a statement released on social media, Dzeko confirmed he will make his final appearance for Bosnia when they face Sweden in Zenica on October 2 in the UEFA Nations League.
Dzeko to say farewell against Sweden
Dzeko scored a key goal against Wales in the play-offs of UEFA qualifying for the World Cup this year, his strike forcing a penalty shoot-out that Bosnia won to set up a final with Italy, in which they again prevailed on spot-kicks to book their place in the finals.
And Dzeko identified the pair of World Cup qualifications as two of the proudest moments of his career as he confirmed the end of his time in the international game.
The former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker wrote: “Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come, but I never imagined how emotional I would feel writing these words.
“On October 2nd, against Sweden, I will play my next and final match for our national team.
“Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing.
“It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 occasions I had the honour of representing my country on a football pitch.
“I was always proud to do so, just as I was the first time. Almost 20 years have passed since that match against Turkey. So many things have changed, and I have changed too, but my love for this shirt never has.
“Now I feel the time has come to step aside. If I have made it to the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. Everything.
“Playing for my country has been the most emotional opportunity football has ever given me.
“Qualifying for our first World Cup in 2014 remains one of the happiest moments of my life as a footballer.
“The emotions I felt on the night of the goal against Wales, and then in Zenica against Italy in March, will stay in my heart forever.
“Seeing my people celebrating in the streets of our cities was another incredible gift that football has given me.
“There will be time to thank everyone who has been by my side and supported me throughout this wonderful journey.
“For now, I just hope you will be there that night against Sweden, so we can share one more emotion…
Because every one of these incredible moments has been something we have lived together.
“And that is how I want to experience my final night representing my country: with all of you by my side, wearing the shirt I have loved since I was a boy – and the shirt I will love for the rest of my life.”
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