Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy: FIFA cut stadium capacity for World Cup play-off Final
The capacity of Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium, the venue of the World Cup play-off Final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was reduced by 20% by a FIFA ruling this past January, so over 2,100 seats will be unavailable for the match against the Azzurri.
Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina will meet in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Why World Cup play-off Stadium final has limited capacity
The stadium chosen by the Bosnian federation is Bilino Polje in Zenica, with a capacity of 15,600.
The World Cup play-off Final against Italy, however, will be played with fewer fans in the stands due to a FIFA decision dating back to this past January.
FIFA reported several incidents during the most recent Bosnia and Herzegovina home match against Romania on November 15, 2025, so the Bosnian federation received a fine and a warning, and was ordered to play the following home match with a reduced capacity.
FIFA reported “Team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, lighting of fireworks or any other objects causing a disturbance during national anthems and a lack of order or discipline in or around the stadium.”
The Bosnian federation confirmed FIFA’s decision in a statement in January: “Due to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision (No. FDD-26056) dated January 9 2026, ordering partial stadium closure for the next qualifying match, FFBiH must reduce the number of commercial tickets for the playoff in Zenica on March 31 2026.
“The sanction was imposed following incidents at the FIFA World Cup qualifier Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Romania match. The ruling requires closure of at least 20% of available seats, primarily behind the goals. As a result, the South stand blocks B, C, and D will be fully closed (1508 seats), along with part of the West stand (first three rows, 592 seats), totalling 2100 seats unavailable for this crucial match.”
The Bosnian Federation announced on Friday that all tickets for the World Cup final against Italy had sold out just hours after a penalty shootout victory over Wales in the semis.
