Everything Canada fans need to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina, their newest World Cup opponent

For Canada, the wait is over.

After Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy on penalties to claim the final World Cup spot in Group B, alongside Qatar and Switzerland, the focus shifts from permutations to preparation.

A meeting with Bosnia in Toronto on June 12 looms large. What are their strong points? How do they play? And who are the players Canada must contain?

How did they qualify?

A dramatic play-off final victory over Italy sealed a sensational qualification. Bosnia had been firm outsiders for the semi-final in Wales, which they won on penalties, and their match against four-time world champions Italy. It was just rewards after an impressive group performance, finishing second to Austria with 17 points after just one loss in eight matches.

What is their World Cup pedigree?

Since declaring independence in 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina have reached the World Cup just once. In 2014, they failed to progress beyond the group stage after one-goal losses to Argentina and Nigeria, along with a win over Iran.

Who is their coach?

This is the first senior coaching role for Sergej Barbarez, a former forward who had a solid career in Germany’s Bundesliga for clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

An outspoken and forthright figure, Barbarez generated headlines before his side’s play-off semi-final win over Wales with comments he made about Brondby head coach Steve Cooper. Cooper is Welsh, and Barbarez accused him of deliberately sidelining Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic in the weeks leading up to the match.

How do they play?

Under Barbarez, Bosnia commonly revert to a 4-4-2 shape, designed to stay compact and organised out of possession. This system also gives the side plenty of width. Esmir Bajraktarevic has impressed for PSV this season, and there is plenty of excitement around 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, who has scored 11 goals this season for Red Bull Salzburg and is set to join Leverkusen this summer.

Who is their key player?

Edin Dzeko is 40, but he remains Bosnia’s talisman. The former Manchester City, Roma and Inter striker has remarkably scored at least one international goal for 20 successive years since 2007 and netted the crucial equaliser in Wales. A January switch to Schalke, in Germany’s second tier, has provided instant returns, with six goals in eight appearances.

Of the younger generation, 23-year-old Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic has impressed in Serie A and in qualification, while versatile full-back Amar Dedic has established himself at Benfica.

What else should we know about them?

Bosnia are football’s only international team to have qualified for a World Cup, which they did in 2014, but never for their own continental tournament, the European Championship.

Also, after finishing his playing career, head coach Barbarez spent six years as a professional poker player.