Bosnia's Dzeko poses big World Cup threat - Bellamy

Edin Dzeko's career includes spells with Manchester City, Roma and Inter Milan Wales head coach Craig Bellamy will warn his players to keep Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko at arm's length when they meet in this month's World Cup play-off. Dzeko is his country's all-time leading goal-scorer with 72 goals from a Bosnia-record 146 caps. The former Manchester City and Roma forward - currently with Bundesliga 2 side Schalke - turns 40 just nine days before the semi-final on Thursday, 26 March, but the Wales boss says the veteran remains a huge threat. "Always," Bellamy agreed. "He was never that speed player but his link-up play and game intelligence is always going to be high. "He's still playing at a good level and he's definitely a dangerous player." The winner of the tie at Cardiff City Stadium on 26 March faces either Italy or Northern Ireland at home five days later for a place at this summer's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. "The idea for us would be to keep Bosnia away from our box because that's when he comes into his own," added 46-year-old Bellamy, who played his final game for Manchester City nine months before Dzeko made his debut at the Etihad Stadium. "The more time he's outside the box the benefit it would be for us, so we have to keep him as high away from our goal as possible." Wales star Wilson confirms fitness for World Cup play-offs Salt Lake City awaits Wales if they make World Cup Wales are aiming to qualify for back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time having previously played in the 1958 and 2022 finals. They finished runners-up to automatic qualifiers Belgium in Group J - sealing home advantage for their play-off semi-final with a 7-1 victory over North Macedonia. Bosnia-Herzegovina finished second to Austria in a group that also included Romania, Cyprus and San Marino, with Dzeko scoring five of 17 goals scored in their eight matches. "Watching Bosnia has been a decent watch so far," said Bellamy. "It's going to be a tough game. Physically they are very good, well-organised [and] good in both boxes. They don't need too many chances to score." Bellamy names his squad for the game on Tuesday, 17 March, boosted by the return to fitness of Premier League players Harry Wilson and Daniel James. His opposite number, Sergej Barbarez, has few players from Europe's top leagues to call on as Bosnia look to reach a World Cup for only the second time since they became an independent football nation, following the separation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992. "They always produced players for Yugoslavia before the break-up but a lot of their players are born elsewhere now, like Sweden or Germany," added Bellamy. "So their education in football is through top-tier countries and then they go back to Bosnia to represent the country. Their quality and football IQ is very high." The play-off winners will face co-hosts Canada in Toronto on 12 June, Switzerland in Los Angeles on 18 June and Qatar in Seattle on 24 June. We have to wake up - Szoboszlai warning sums up Liverpool plight 'Players is special but not a major and never likely to be' 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films 'Players is special but not a major and never likely to be' Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney. Video Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? Gordon hits back at 'complete nonsense' from Rooney and Shearer Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football They were told it wasn't for girls, but these could be the future faces of F1 Jason Tindall - the most misunderstood man in football? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.