USA Football Team Faces Bosnia in FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage

California. Mauricio Pochettino's 'Stars and Stripes' team is entering the field with the advantage of home ground and excellent form.

The United States has started to believe in its national football team again. In the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final 32 of this World Cup, coach Mauricio Pochettino's team will aim to broaden the dreams of American supporters.

Before the first match of the group stage, there was an atmosphere of worry and tension across the country before the USA took the field against Paraguay. Many feared the team would face a shameful failure on home soil.

But that fear was soon gone.

Instead of faltering under pressure, the USA performed excellently and presented the most exciting match of Pochettino's tenure so far.

After that, the team secured the top spot in Group 'D' with one game remaining by achieving a 2-0 victory over Australia.

This is why Pochettino appeared defensive even after a last-minute defeat to Turkey in the final group stage match. He had made a large number of player changes with the knockout stage in mind.

Now, the USA must overcome its European rival to extend its World Cup journey. Historically, the USA has struggled a lot against UEFA teams.

Bosnia and Herzegovina may not be a superpower in world football, but it is a team full of tall and physically strong players. In this World Cup, they have shown particularly impressive performances from set-pieces.

By defeating Qatar 3-1 in the final group stage match, Bosnia reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. Before that, they drew 1-1 with Canada and suffered a 4-1 defeat against Switzerland.

• 'Stars and Stripes' World Cup Dream Still Alive

Mauricio Pochettino's key players were rested before the knockout stage. The American team believes that history can be made on home soil this summer.

The performance in the first two matches has taken the supporters' imagination to new heights. A relatively easier path to the quarterfinals also seems open for Pochettino's team.

However, Argentine coach Pochettino knows that he and his players must not lose composure. Because the struggling Bosnian team can shatter America's dream in Santa Clara.

On the positive side, the USA has already easily defeated teams with a similar style to Bosnia before. But the pressure of the knockout stage will certainly make the game more complex.

• USA's Weak History Against European Teams

Although the USA is undefeated in three encounters against Bosnia, the overall history is not in America's favor. UEFA teams have consistently put pressure on the USA. America has lost 10 consecutive games against European teams. America's last victory against a European team in the World Cup came 24 years ago.

• Bosnia's Main Weapon

Bosnia has experienced striker Edin Dzeko. The team's wing players are also very dangerous. But their biggest weapon is set-pieces.

Bosnia has already scored three goals from corners in this World Cup. This is the first team to score so many goals from corners in a single World Cup since England scored four in 2018.

• 'Captain America' Returns

The fact that the team's key player Christian Pulisic was not fully active when securing the top spot in Group 'D' is a positive sign for Pochettino.

Pulisic, who suffered a minor calf muscle injury in the match against Paraguay, came on as a substitute in the final group stage match.

Now he is ready to play from the start.

Pulisic's ability to advance the ball at high speed and his skill in creating opportunities in the final third could be decisive against Bosnia's solid defense.

• USA's Probable Starting Lineup

Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes compared to the team that beat Australia. Only Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie retained their places.

With Christian Pulisic absent, Pepi led the attack. But AC Milan star Pulisic is now fully ready to return. He suffered a minor injury in the spectacular 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the first match of the World Cup.

Sebastian Holter, who performed excellently in the final group stage match, is also a contender to be in the starting lineup.

However, Pochettino is more likely to continue with the midfield comprising Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman.

Cristian Roldan is the only injured player. He has not played a single minute in the competition so far. Roldan, who was on the bench against Paraguay and Australia, could not play against Turkey due to a muscle injury.

USA's Probable Team (4-2-3-1): Freeze; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina's Probable Starting Lineup

American supporters are familiar with Esmir Bajraktarevic. He had played for the USA against Slovenia in 2024. But after that, he decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the birthplace of his parents.

His family migrated to the USA during the Bosnian War, and he was born in Wisconsin in 2005.

He is one of Bosnia's two fast-paced wing players. On the left, USA's Alex Freeman will have the responsibility of stopping the young talent, Kerim Alajbegovic. Alajbegovic became the eighth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring against Qatar.

Experienced striker Edin Dzeko is expected to lead the attack alongside Ermedin Demirovic. Defender Tarik Muharemovic will return to the team after serving a one-match suspension. He missed the last match after receiving a red card in the 4-1 defeat against Switzerland.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Probable Team (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Basic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko.

Overall

• Location: Santa Clara, California
• Stadium: Levi's Stadium
• Date: Wednesday, July 1 / Thursday, July 2
• Kick-off time: Thursday, 5:45 AM (Nepali time)
• Referee: Rafael Klaus (Brazil)