Edin Džeko suffers shoulder injury in Bosnia's World Cup qualifier

Schalke striker Edin Džeko faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a shoulder injury during Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup qualifying victory over Italy. The 40-year-old was forced off just before the decisive penalty shootout following a heavy challenge from Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi.

Džeko received several minutes of treatment on the pitch, clutching his right shoulder in visible pain before his arm was strapped with a bandage. He was unable to take part in the shootout, which Bosnia won 4-1 to secure their place at the 2026 tournament. The extent of the injury is not yet known, and Schalke are awaiting further assessment.

The potential absence of their veteran forward represents a significant concern for Schalke, who are currently pushing for promotion back to the Bundesliga. Džeko has been a key figure since rejoining the club last summer, providing crucial experience and leadership in the final third.

Any lengthy layoff would come at a critical juncture in the season, depriving the team of their most high-profile attacker during the run-in. The club will be hoping for positive news from the upcoming medical evaluation to mitigate the impact on their campaign.