From Poker to Soccer: Former Pro Coaches Bosnia at 2026 World Cup

Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, is coaching the Bosnian soccer team at the 2026 World Cup. Barbarez scored 85 goals as a striker in the German Bundesliga. He has $143,628 in live tournament winnings from poker, including a fifth-place finish in a €2,200 Omaha event at the World Series of Poker Europe in 2017, winning $24,385, and a third-place finish in a World Poker Tour €1,100 Omaha side event in 2019 in Barcelona, winning $20,003.

Barbarez captained the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team from 1998 to 2006, playing 47 games and scoring 17 goals. Bosnia and Herzegovina will play in Group B of the World Cup, which also features Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. Barbarez led Bosnia to key qualifying victories over Wales and Italy.

Barbarez has confidence in his team’s ability. “I told the players to go on the pitch and enjoy themselves,” Barbarez said after the win over Italy last week. “I’ve never entered or finished a game calmer. I saw it in their eyes. I really like them. They’re guys with character. We have guys we’re proud of, we’re two years ahead of schedule. Now I’ve told them that we have to go to a tournament every two years.”