Overview
- The one‑match final in Zenica, set for Tuesday at 20:45, will send either Bosnia or Italy to the 2026 World Cup with extra time and penalties in play.
- UEFA appointed Clément Turpin as referee, a high‑profile choice that draws notice in Italy because he officiated the 2022 playoff loss to North Macedonia.
- Italy completed a long session at Coverciano with penalty practice, kept most players available, and held travel until Monday due to snow and a heavy pitch in Zenica.
- Bosnia trained in muddy, snowy conditions near Sarajevo with 40‑year‑old captain Edin Dzeko leading the group and Sead Kolasinac back in full work.
- Bilino Polje’s capacity is cut to about 8,800 with strict name‑on‑ticket checks, thousands of resale tickets canceled, reinforced security, and diaspora fans arriving to pack the tight, old ground.