Haris Tabakovic
CF
Playmaking Forward
Jun 20, 1994 (32)
Right
6'5"
198 lb
Joins RB Salzburg
Tabakovic completed a permanent transfer from Hoffenheim to RB Salzburg, the club announced.
Analysis: Tabakovic heads to Austria after an impressive loan spell with Borussia Monchengladbach during the 2025-26 season, scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances. The veteran striker initially joined Hoffenheim in 2024 after finishing as the 2. Bundesliga's top scorer with Hertha Berlin, but found greater success during his temporary move to Gladbach. The 32-year-old is no stranger to Austrian football, having previously featured for Austria Lustenau and Austria Wien before moving to Germany. A Bosnia and Herzegovina international, Tabakovic also represented his country at the World Cup this summer and now returns to Austria looking to continue his strong scoring form with Salzburg.
Back after impressive loan
Tabakovic is returning to Hoffenheim after his season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach expired.
Analysis: Tabakovic authored one of the best individual campaigns of his career on loan at Gladbach, finishing with 13 goals and two assists across his 32 Bundesliga appearances, having been one of the most productive strikers in the division before an injury cut his farewell appearance short. He was forced off in the 74th minute against Hoffenheim after twisting his ankle, having scored in the first half. Gladbach have left the door open for a potential return in the future, giving supporters hope of seeing him back at the club beyond this season. He now returns to Hoffenheim, where he is not part of their plans for the 2026-27 campaign, meaning a fresh move elsewhere looks likely.
Finds bench role
Tabakovic (ankle) is on the bench for Thursday's clash against Switzerland.
Analysis: Tabakovic has been included in the squad after returning to collective training following a period of working separately from the group since arriving in the USA, with coach Sergej Barbarez confirming the striker is in excellent shape and in line for a role off the bench as Bosnia and Herzegovina look to build on their result from the tournament opener. His presence among the substitutes offers Barbarez a dangerous option to unleash from the bench against Switzerland as the group stage reaches a critical stage.
Available against Switzerland
Tabakovic (ankle) will be available for Thursday's clash against Switzerland, with the striker most likely in line for a role off the bench, according to coach Sergej Barbarez, per Reprezentacija. "Harris is training, he will be in the team tomorrow. He is already in excellent shape."
Analysis: Tabakovic had been working separately from the group since his arriving in the USA, as he was recovering from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the World Cup opener, making his return to collective training a significant step forward. The striker's availability gives coach Sergej Barbarez an additional attacking option as Bosnia and Herzegovina look to build on their result from the tournament opener.
Trains with team
Tabakovic (ankle) returned to training with the team ahead of the second game against Switzerland, according to Bosnian Football.
Analysis: Tabakovic has been working separately in recent days as he recovers from an ankle injury picked up in his last Bundesliga match, which kept him out of Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup opener. He made a notable step forward by joining full team training the day after the game, and could now be in contention for selection against Switzerland, though the forward will likely be a bench option
Not facing Canada
Tabakovic (ankle) will be absent from Bosnia Herzegovina's World Cup opener against Canada, with coach Sergej Barbarez confirming that "it's too early and that in the best case he'll play in the second game.", reprezentacija.ba reports.
Analysis: Tabakovic has yet to fully overcome his ankle problem and is unlikely to play a meaningful role in the group stage. The striker would normally be part of the rotation with Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic and Edin Dzeko (undisclosed), but losing him limits the depth of a team that will at least recover Dzeko for Friday's contest.
Continues to train separately
Tabakovic's (ankle) participation in Tuesday's practice was limited to physical therapy and individual work while Bosnia-Herzegovina prepare for the World Cup kickoff, Bosnian Football reports.
Analysis: Tabakovic is expected to miss the first couple of group-stage contests against Canada and Switzerland, respectively, reducing the team's attacking depth. Given that Edin Dzeko (undisclosed) is also dealing with discomfort, Ermedin Demirovic and Jovo Lukic could make the starting front duo in the short term. Meanwhile, Tabakovic will look to increase his workload in upcoming training sessions and eventually offer an interesting backup option.
Working separately with physios
Tabakovic (ankle) has joined the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad in Toronto but continues to work separately on his own program with the national team's physiotherapists rather than training with the group, according to Reprezentacija.
Analysis: Tabakovic's arrival at the squad's base is an encouraging development given the severity of the ankle fracture he suffered during the Bundesliga season finale, and his presence in Toronto confirms he is progressing within the planned recovery timeline. The third group stage fixture at the latest remains the target for his potential return to competitive action, with the coaching staff hoping to have their most prolific striker available at some point during the tournament.
Expected Friday, still doubtful
Tabakovic (ankle) has not yet joined the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad's training sessions at Energizer Park in St. Louis, with the striker's arrival expected on Friday but his ability to play at the World Cup remaining in doubt, according to Sportske.
Analysis: Tabakovic is part of Bosnia's official squad but continues to recover separately, and the coaching staff will have a clearer picture of his availability once he arrives and undergoes assessment from the medical staff on Friday. The third group stage fixture remains the target for his potential return to action, with coach Barbarez hoping the striker can prove his fitness in time to contribute at some point during the tournament.
Should return before third game
Tabakovic (ankle) has been included in Bosnia and Herzegovina's official 26-man squad submitted to FIFA for the group stage, with his replacement Arjan Malic left out of the final list as coach Sergej Barbarez expects Tabakovic to return before the third match, according to Reprezentacija.
Analysis: Tabakovic is still recovering from an ankle injury but is progressing well and should be able to return before the third game of the group stage. Arjan Madic had been called up as emergency cover following Tabakovic's ankle fracture but has not been registered for the opening three fixtures, a clear indication that the coaching staff are confident their top striker will be available in time for the later stages of the group phase. Manager Barbarez is planning for Tabakovic to rejoin the squad before the third match, which would be a remarkable comeback story given the severity of the initial diagnosis that had written him off entirely from the tournament.
Unlikely for opener
Tabakovic (ankle) is not expected to be ready for Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup opener against Canada on June 12 but remains within the planned recovery timeline, with coach Sergej Barbarez confirming the situation will be reassessed once he begins training, according to Reprezentacija. "We will enter the championship with Haris not being ready for the first match and we will continue to see the situation, but he is also within the timeframe we have set. We hope it will remain that way. But the coach is always the measure and when they start training we will say more."
Analysis: Tabakovic had been written off entirely after suffering an ankle fracture during the Bundesliga season finale, making his continued presence in the squad a remarkable development given the severity of the initial diagnosis. Bosnia will manage his return carefully and the coaching staff will have a clearer picture of his availability for the later stages of the group phase once he begins training with the squad, with the prospect of having their most prolific striker available at some point during the tournament a significant potential boost for coach Barbarez's side.
Likely to join squad before WC
Tabakovic (ankle) could potentially join the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad before their World Cup departure, according to coach Sergej Barbarez, per Reprezentacija. "As for Tabakovic, there are no daily updates, no information, I know that we are on the right track, on time, that we have planned for him to be well. He will most likely join us before the trip, there is an option for him to continue treatment so that we are sure that he is ready."
Analysis: Tabakovic had been initially ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an ankle fracture during the season finale against Hoffenheim, with a recovery timeline of at least three months casting serious doubt over his participation. The positive update from the coach is an encouraging surprise given the severity of the initial diagnosis, and Bosnia will be hoping their most prolific striker can prove his fitness in time to contribute at the tournament. Tabakovic ends his Gladbach loan campaign with 13 goals and two assists across 32 Bundesliga appearances before the injury struck, and his potential availability would be a significant boost for a side that will rely heavily on his goal-scoring threat throughout the competition.
Ankle fracture ends WC dream
Tabakovic suffered an ankle fracture in the 72nd minute of Saturday's season finale against Hoffenheim and is expected to miss at least three months, ruling him out of the World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer, according to Klix.
Analysis: Tabakovic had scored earlier in the match before the injury occurred following a challenge with Ozan Kabak, and is now wearing a cast on his leg with an official diagnosis still pending. If surgery is required, the recovery timeline could extend to around six months, making his absence from the tournament virtually certain regardless. The striker ends a strong loan campaign at Gladbach with 13 goals and two assists across his 32 Bundesliga appearances (28 starts), having been one of the most productive strikers in the division before the cruel injury on what was supposed to be his farewell appearance. Tabakovic will now return to parent club Hoffenheim as both his immediate future and long-term recovery plan are determined.
Forced off with ankle injury
Tabakovic (ankle) was forced off in the 74th minute of Saturday's clash against Hoffenheim after twisting his ankle, having scored in the first half.
Analysis: Tabakovic's early exit is a concerning development given that Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup campaign begins in June, making the timing of the injury particularly worrying. The striker had put together an impressive campaign on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, finishing with 13 goals and two assists across 32 Bundesliga appearances before the ankle issue cut his farewell appearance short. He was replaced by Shuto Machino, with the full extent of the injury yet to be confirmed. The results of further examination will be crucial in determining whether Tabakovic can recover in time to represent Bosnia at the World Cup.
Available Saturday
Tabakovic (undisclosed) has returned to normal training Wednesday and is available for Saturday's final Bundesliga fixture against Hoffenheim, according to coach Eugen Polanski. "Tabakovic trained normally."
Analysis: Tabakovic's return is well-timed given the sentimental nature of Saturday's fixture, which will mark his final appearance in a Borussia Monchengladbach shirt for the time being as his loan from Hoffenheim comes to an end. The striker had missed last weekend's match due to the muscular issue before easing back into training earlier in the week. Gladbach have left the door open for a potential return in the future, giving supporters some hope of seeing him back at the club beyond this season.
Not available Saturday
Tabakovic (undisclosed) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Augsburg.
Analysis: Tabakovic has been unable to pass his late fitness test after coach Eugen Polanski confirmed a final decision would be made following Friday's session, with the minor injury that had forced him to cut short Wednesday's training proving too significant to clear in time. The forward had been limited to a reduced intensity session Thursday, and the club ultimately decided against risking him for the Augsburg fixture despite the coach's cautiously optimistic assessment earlier in the week. His availability for the coming fixtures will be monitored closely as the undisclosed issue continues to be assessed.
Late call against Augsburg
Tabakovic (undisclosed) was forced to cut short his training session Wednesday and is a late call for Saturday's clash against Augsburg, with a final decision to be made Friday, according to coach Eugen Polanski. "Haris had to cut short his training yesterday due to a minor injury. He trained at a different intensity today, but for now, he is fit to play. We absolutely need to wait and see what Haris says tomorrow."
Analysis: Tabakovic returned to training Thursday but was limited to a reduced intensity session, leaving his availability for the weekend uncertain. Manager Eugen Polanski's cautiously optimistic assessment suggests the issue is not considered serious, though the club is unwilling to take any risks before receiving further feedback from the player and medical staff Friday. His inclusion in the starting lineup remains in doubt even if he is cleared to feature, with the coaching staff likely to assess his physical response to the workload before making a final call.
Nets winning goal
Tabakovic scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Borussia Dortmund. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 91st minute.
Analysis: Tabakovic was active in front of goal and eventually his efforts paid off with a late goal to give Gladbach all three points in this contest. The forward should have a favorable matchup against Augsburg, a team which has conceded 56 goals in 32 Bundesliga games.
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