Edin Džeko ready for 2026 FIFA World Cup after helping Schalke to promotion
At the age of 40, Edin Džeko helped fire Schalke back into the Bundesliga after three years away. With another World Cup on the horizon for Bosnia-Herzegovina, the veteran striker reflects on promotion, longevity and what comes next.
Schalke were hardly struggling prior to Džeko’s arrival towards the end of January, but they were certainly lacking final-third threat, having scored just nine goals in the nine matches immediately prior to the former Wolfsburg striker’s switch.
However, the veteran forward gave Schalke’s offensive play a much-needed boost, scoring six goals in his first eight games before suffering an injury as the side netted 15 overall during the same period. That run ultimately set the Royal Blues well on their way to the promotion they desperately craved.
Watch: Džeko's first training session in Royal Blue
“Schalke were already top of Bundesliga 2 in January, but obviously they needed to add some more quality to the team because the second part of the season is always more difficult,” he explained.
“All the teams are fighting for something, so the club brought in several new players in the transfer window, which was a big decision. In the end, those new faces helped the team a lot. In terms of my decision about joining, I really wanted to help this team go back where they deserve to be.”
Indeed, Džeko was joined by Dejan Ljubicic, Adil Aouchiche, Moussa Ndiaye and Kevin Müller at the start of the year, and the quintet gave Miron Muslić’s men the extra boost they needed to get over the line; Schalke lost just one of their last 14 games after the winter window slammed shut, winning nine.
Watch: Džeko at his best in Germany
Džeko was under no illusions about just how difficult getting out of Bundesliga 2 would be, even despite his illustrious career at the highest level. “I knew what Bundesliga 2 is about,” he said. “It's not a normal second tier. You can see the intensity, the great stadiums, and the great fans.
“On the pitch, every game felt like 50-50. You could never say, ‘Ok, we are playing home against rock-bottom, we will easily win’. It's never easy in this league, but obviously, our great fans at this great stadium certainly helped.
Now, the Bundesliga is on the horizon, although Džeko, who only initially signed on for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, was tight-lipped about his future. “Let's see if I'm going to play in the Bundesliga next year. But, for Schalke, it's amazing to be back in the top flight, which I believe they always should be – that’s exactly what I said when I arrived.”
Before then, though, Džeko has a World Cup to play. Following on from his first participation in the tournament, the 2014 edition in Brazil, his status as an elder statesman is evident; he is at least eight years older than any of the other 25 players in the Bosnia squad.
With 148 caps and 73 goals, he is also the record holder for the country in both areas, and it is therefore no surprise that he will wear the captain’s armband.
Džeko, though, does not take his status as skipper for granted. “I'm the oldest player, obviously, and the captain, which means you have a bigger responsibility, especially when a new generation is coming through,” he explained. “You have to lead the younger players, and I'm so happy that I can do it. I'm happy to be a captain of this great generation.”
