USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: All you need to know about the World Cup Round of 32 match

The knockout stage has arrived, and the United States is preparing for one of its biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup. After winning Group D, the co-hosts now face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, where Mauricio Pochettino's squad will look to capitalize on home-field support and continue its quest for a deep tournament run.

While the United States entered the competition with lofty expectations, Bosnia and Herzegovina has already exceeded them. The Dragons reached the knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history, advancing as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers. With everything to gain and little to lose, Sergej Barbarez's team will attempt to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup.

The Americans earned first place in Group D by combining attacking efficiency with disciplined performances. They opened the tournament with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay before defeating Australia 2-0 to clinch an early spot in the knockout rounds. Although they fell 3-2 to Turkey in their final group-stage match, the result did not prevent them from finishing atop the group with six points.

Bosnia had an impressive comeback to qualify

Pochettino's team demonstrated throughout the opening round that it can create scoring chances from multiple areas of the field. The loss to Turkey, however, exposed defensive vulnerabilities that will need to be addressed as the margin for error disappears in single-elimination play.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's journey has been far less straightforward. The Dragons opened Group B with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Canada before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland. Facing elimination in their final group match, they responded with an impressive comeback to defeat Qatar 3-1, securing four points and a place in the Round of 32.

Now playing in the country's first-ever World Cup knockout match, Bosnia and Herzegovina enters with confidence after proving it can handle pressure. One of the biggest storylines entering the match is the return of center back Tarik Muharemovic. The 23-year-old missed the previous match because of suspension, and his return should provide much-needed stability to a defense that struggled at times during the group stage.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will also lean heavily on veteran striker Edin Dzeko. At 40 years old, the longtime national team captain continues to be the focal point of the attack, bringing leadership, experience and finishing ability against an American defense that conceded three goals against Turkey.

USMNT has consistently generated scoring opportunities

For the United States, leadership in midfield could be the deciding factor. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are expected to play key roles protecting the back line while helping control possession against a team likely to defend deep before launching quick counterattacks.

Christian Pulisic remains the centerpiece of the American attack. The captain's creativity between the lines has consistently generated scoring opportunities throughout the tournament, while striker Folarin Balogun has rewarded those chances with two goals in the group stage. The tactical battle figures to revolve around possession versus transition football.

The United States will attempt to dictate the tempo, moving the ball through midfield and allowing Pulisic to create overloads in dangerous areas. Fullbacks Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson are expected to push forward aggressively, providing width and additional attacking options.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, is likely to absorb pressure before breaking quickly through the pace of its wide players and the hold-up ability of Dzeko. Vertical passes into space behind the advancing American fullbacks could become one of the visitors' primary attacking weapons.

The keys to the game

Maintaining defensive organization will be critical for both teams. The United States cannot afford the lapses that surfaced against Turkey, while Bosnia and Herzegovina must prevent Pulisic from finding space between the midfield and defensive lines.

The projected lineup for the United States features Matt Freese in goal behind a back four of Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman are expected to anchor midfield, with Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic supporting Folarin Balogun in attack.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is projected to start Nikola Vasilj in goal. Amar Dedić, Nikola Katić, Tarik Muharemovic and Sead Kolašinac are expected to form the back line, while Esmir Bajraktarević, Ivan Šunjić, Ivan Bašić and Adrian Alajbegović patrol midfield behind the experienced striking duo of Edin Džeko and Ermedin Demirović.

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