Dzeko’s move to Schalke appears to have revived both his rhythm and his relevance. After a difficult spell at Fiorentina, the report says the forward made an immediate impact in Germany and helped Schalke return to the Bundesliga after three seasons away.
The short-term move has therefore become more significant than expected. It gave Dzeko regular football at a crucial moment, allowing him to enter Bosnia’s qualifying play-offs with match sharpness rather than relying solely on experience.
The report says he scored a headed equaliser against Wales in Cardiff before Bosnia advanced past Italy on penalties. That sequence helped secure a major international return for a player whose leadership remains central to the national side.
Dzeko’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014, when Bosnia competed at the tournament in Brazil for the first time. He remembers the defeat by Argentina, including a goal from Lionel Messi, and the elimination against Nigeria.
Even so, he described that campaign as special in the “país do futebol” - the country of football. Now, under Sergej Barbarez, he will have another chance to shape Bosnia’s story, this time alongside a younger group that impressed during the play-offs.
Bosnia’s opening match is against Canada, followed by fixtures with Qatar and Switzerland. Dzeko reportedly views the Swiss as the group’s strongest side, but Bosnia’s blend of youthful energy and veteran composure could make the section unpredictable.
Dzeko is reportedly expected to speak with Schalke before deciding his next step. His careful approach reflects a career increasingly shaped by preparation, recovery and prevention rather than instinct alone.
The immediate focus, however, is Bosnia’s World Cup opener against Canada. That match will show whether Dzeko can turn his remarkable longevity into another defining international chapter.