USA to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round of 32 at 2026 World Cup

The United States men's national team has learned its Round of 32 opponent for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Bosnia and Herzegovina set to face the co-hosts on Wednesday, July 1, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

How the matchup was determined

The tie was confirmed by results in Group F, where Sweden's 1-1 draw against Japan dictated that Sergej Barbarez's side would finish as the third-place team from that group and face Mauricio Pochettino's in-form Stars and Stripes. As the Group D winners, the US will now prepare for a Bosnia side that reached the knockout stage for the first time in its history.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to the knockout stage

Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their place in the Round of 32 on June 24 with a 3-1 victory over Qatar. Their tournament began with a draw against Canada in the opening match, followed by a 4-1 loss to Group B winners Switzerland. The win over Qatar was enough to see them advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

United States' dominant group stage

The United States qualified as section winners with a game to spare after back-to-back victories over Paraguay and Australia. The co-hosts will conclude their Group D campaign against Türkiye in Los Angeles before turning their attention to the knockout round.

Key players to watch

Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to veteran striker Edin Džeko, who has been a talisman for the national team for over a decade. The US will rely on a deep squad that has shown strong form under manager Mauricio Pochettino, with several players from top European clubs.

The match promises to be a historic occasion for both nations, as the US seeks to advance deep into the tournament on home soil, while Bosnia aims to build on its first-ever knockout appearance.