GOALKEEPER Asmir Begovic insists the number of Cherries players aiming to reach next year's World Cup “shows how far this club has come”.

The 30-year-old Bosnian is one of seven members of Eddie Howe's squad hoping to take part in the global showcase in Russia having represented their respective countries in qualifying.

He shares the same ambition as England's Jermain Defoe, Dutchman Nathan Ake, Scotland's Ryan Fraser, Ireland midfielder Harry Arter, Australia's Brad Smith and DR Congo striker Benik Afobe.

Colin Clarke was the last Cherries player to feature at a major tournament when he made three appearances for Northern Ireland at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – a year before Begovic was born.

Before his loan spell at Dean Court in 2007, Begovic represented Canada in the Under-20 World Cup. He then featured eight times for the Dorset side in League One.

Asked if he had ever imagined Cherries' players would be targeting World Cup football, Begovic told the Daily Echo: “It shows how far this club has come. It’s amazing and I am glad to be part of this journey now.

“I am hoping we can achieve many more great things in the next few years. I am excited about that.

“You can see the standard of players is very high. Hopefully, we can keep achieving and keep this club rising to the top.”

Having not represented Canada at senior level, Begovic opted to accept a call-up to the Bosnian squad and has since featured more than 50 times.

Currently second in Group H of European qualification, Bosnia can only finish second behind Belgium, who they host in a crunch tie in Sarajevo tomorrow.

Begovic has experience of playing on international football’s grandest stage. He featured in all three of his country's games during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

In Bosnia's group opener, the stopper played 90 minutes at the Maracana in front of more than 74,000 people as his team lost 2-1 to Argentina.

After defeat and a subsequent failure to progress to the knockout rounds, the goalkeeper was left wanting another shot.

“The experience of that World Cup is what drives you to go back to the major tournaments,” said Begovic.

“You never quite know what it is like until you experience it and achieve it. To get back there is a huge motivation.”

Asked about his nation’s chances of booking a play-off spot, he added: “It’s do or die for us in the final two qualifying games, which we probably have to win.

“We play Belgium at home and we have some great support from our fans – we will give anybody a game there.

“It’s a huge test to play players of that calibre and that’s why you play international football.

"It’s a big period going from one big game to another. That’s the life we live and I am looking forward to it.”