The USA continue their 2026 World Cup campaign with a round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina as the co-hosts get their knockout stage underway.
After progressing top of Group D, Mauricio Pochettino’s side now face a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that earned their place in the knockouts after a determined group stage campaign.
With a place in the last 16 now on the line, there are no second chances or margin for error as both sides look to progress.
The United States made an impressive start to their World Cup, smashing Paraguay 4-1, before beating Australia to confirm qualification with a game to spare. They then made a host of changes for their final game with Turkey, where they lost their 100% record and were beaten.
Bosnia’s Group B campaign wasn’t quite as straightforward. They opened against USA’s fellow co-hosts, Canada, with a 1-1 draw. They were then handed a 4-1 loss at the hands of group winners Switzerland.
This meant Bosnia needed a victory against Qatar to secure qualification. They delivered in style, beating the 2022 World Cup hosts 3-1.
The USA will see this as an excellent chance to progress on home soil, but Bosnia won’t roll over and are no strangers to important games.
The reward for victory here is a place in the round of 16, where either Belgium or Senegal will be waiting.
How to watch USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina will kick off at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, July 2 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
This match will be shown live in the UK on BBC One, with streaming also available via BBC iPlayer.
In the United States, World Cup coverage is available on FOX Sports and Telemundo.
In Canada, coverage is available on CTV, TSN and RDS.
USA team news
Obviously, the United States would have loved to come into this game with a 100% group stage record. But resting some of their key players for the last group game might give them a boost here.
We are likely to see a side that resembles more of what we saw in their opening two games.
They will likely look to Christian Pulisic to be their key player again here. The winger has been a standout player of the tournament so far, lifting USA fans out of their seats every time he gets the ball.
Another player gaining a lot of attention is Folarin Balogun. The forward has netted two goals in two games so far this tournament and is attracting interest from several clubs.
Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan are the only names on the USA injury list for this one. Although all three are only doubts so they could still play a part.
Expected XI:
(3-4-2-1) Freese – Freeman, Richards, Ream – Dest, Adams, Tillman, Robinson – McKennie, Pulisic, Balogun.
Bosnia and Herzegovina team news
Bosnia come into this game with no real major injury concerns. That gives Sergej Barbarez plenty of options as he prepares for one of the country’s biggest games in its history.
Veteran striker Edin Dzeko is expected to lead the line for Bosnia. Despite his age, the forward remains an integral part of the squad and will be looking to capitalise on any chances that come his way.
Amar Dedic should continue at right-back after putting in some consistent performances so far. Ermedin Demirovic is likely to keep his place alongside Dzeko up front after looking like a handful in the group stages.
Nikola Katic and Tarik Muharemovic are expected to start in central defence, with both knowing they will have to be on top of their game.
If Bosnia are to progress to the round of 16. They’ll need to put in a disciplined performance to beat this USA side on their home turf.
Expected XI:
(4-4-2) Vasilj – Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac – Bajraktarevic, Tahirovic, Basic, Alajbegovic – Demirovic, Dzeko.
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina stats
- USA have never lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their previous three meetings. (2 wins, 1 draw)
- Bosnia are playing in their first-ever World Cup knockout match.
- Bosnia have never kept a World Cup clean sheet.
- The USA have scored 12 goals across their last five matches.
- Bosnia qualified for the World Cup via the playoffs.
- USA’s last World Cup win against a European nation came in 2002.
- Bosnia have scored three goals from corners so far this World Cup.
- Edin Dzeko, 40, is captaining his nation that is younger than himself.
USA vs Bosnia Herzegovina prediction
The USA have looked like one of the more convincing teams so far this tournament. Even despite that loss to Turkey in their final game.
That result came after qualification was already secured and Mauricio Pochettino made several changes to his starting XI. With his strongest side expected to return here, the USA become a much tougher proposition.
Bosnia deserve plenty of credit for reaching the knockout stages. They recovered well after a rough start and have shown plenty of character to get this far.
The question now is whether they have the quality to trouble a USA side that has looked dangerous so far.
They are unlikely to open up and leave spaces behind. They’ll probably stay compact, look to frustrate and hope to make the most of set pieces and counters.
That approach could keep the game competitive for a while, but the USA can still create chances against organised teams.
Playing on home soil should also give the USA an extra lift if the game becomes tight and tense.
I don’t expect this to be a one-sided demolition job, but I do think the USA will get the job done and qualify. So USA to qualify is my pick.
Bosnia have proven to be dangerous from set pieces so far and the USA have shown flashes of weakness at the back. Both teams to score also looks an attractive option here.
As for a goalscorer, Folarin Balogun to score anytime is my pick here. If USA are to progress as they hope, they will need their big players to turn up.
If you’re in the scoreline market, I’m leaning towards 3-1 USA.
