USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
With a brilliant opportunity to go deep into a tournament that they are co-hosting, the USA now take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Round of 32 clash in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer / USA – FOX One
USA preview: Rotated after easing through
Mauricio Pochettino had been doing quite an underwhelming job in charge of the USA, headlined by a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final loss to Panama and a CONCACAF Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico in 2025, but The Stars and Stripes have turned things on at this tournament, winning Group D after just two matches.
The Americans hammered Paraguay by four goals to one in Los Angeles in their opener before then defeating Australia by two goals to nil in Seattle. That allowed Pochettino to heavily rotate for their final game, which they came out on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat to Turkiye with Kaan Ayhan scoring a winner deep into second-half stoppage-time for the already eliminated Turks.
Bosnia and Herzegovina preview: Stubborn Bosnians
Bosnia and Herzegovina have enjoyed an incredible ride in 2026, qualifying for this summer after penalty shootout victories against both Wales and Italy in the European play-offs in March, and now securing their knockout berth as one of the eight best third-placed teams, collecting four points from their three group stage matches.
The Bosnians began by frustrating another co-host, Canada, with a 1-1 draw in Toronto before being frustrating opponents once again, this time against Switzerland. The Swiss eventually won that game 4-1, despite it being goalless after 74 minutes, as a result of some excellent attacking changes made by Murat Yakin during the second-half hydration break. The Bosnians sealed their qualification for the Round of 32 in their final game, though, as they defeated Qatar by three goals to one in Seattle.
USA team news: Back to full strength
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to return to a full strength side here after heavily rotating against Turkiye with only Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie retaining their places in the eleven from the Australia win.
Pepi is now expected to drop out again, though, with so-called 'Captain America' Christian Pulisic recovering from a calf injury and coming off the bench, playing well, against the Turks.
Cristian Roldan missed out on the squad due to injury, while defensive duo Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty both also face late fitness tests.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun
Unavailable:
Questionable: McKenzie (Injured), Trusty (Injured), Roldan (Injured)
Bosnia and Herzegovina team news: Trusting Alajbegovic
Having completed a move from Salzburg to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Sergej Barbarez left wonderkid Kerim Alajbegovic out against Canada but he started the next two, scoring a screamer against Qatar, and is again expected to be trusted in the eleven.
Tarek Muharemovic is expected to come back into the eleven after being unavailable to face Qatar due to suspension. The Bosnians may revert to a three-at-the-back system after playing a flexible 4-4-2 shape in the group stages. Amar Dedic is a slight doubt due to a thigh injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Vasilj; Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Dedic; Alajbegovic; Dzeko, Demirovic
Unavailable:
Questionable: Dedic (Injured)
USA’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Alexander Freeman ($4.3m) – Defender
Christian Pulisic ($7.0m) – Midfielder
Folarin Balogun ($6.0m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Folarin Balogun
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Christian Pulisic
Free kicks: Christian Pulisic
Corners: Christian Pulisic
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sead Kolasinac ($4.3m) – Defender
Ermedin Demirovic ($6.2m) – Forward
Edin Dzeko ($6.1m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Ermedin Demirovic
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Edin Dzeko, Haris Tabakovic
Free kicks: Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic
Corners: Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic
Key stats
- There have been three previous meetings – all friendlies. The USA are unbeaten in all three with two wins and a draw – the most recent encounter was a 1-0 victory in Carson in December 2021. Edin Džeko scored twice for Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 4-3 home defeat by the USA in Sarajevo in August 2013 – the first of the teams’ three friendly encounters.
- The USA are winless in their last 13 World Cup matches against European teams (D6 L7) – since a 3-2 victory against Portugal in the 2002 group stage.
- The USA have qualified for the knockout stages in four successive World Cup participations.
- The USA need two goals to reach the landmark of 50 goals scored at the World Cup.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina are through to the knockout stages for the first time.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina have led at half-time in three of their last four fixtures at the World Cup.
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USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina prediction
The USA have been able to get off to a fast start and score early in each of their three games thus far and it will be interesting to see how they fare if the game drags on for longer at all-square, which is something that Bosnia and Herzegovina appear well-equipped to achieve.
The Bosnians will be extremely awkward and difficult opposition for an intense USA side to try and break down, with Sergej Barbarez’ side capable of causing danger on the counter-attack, too.
The expectation is that the co-hosts do eventually find a way through down in California but it may be a bit more awkward than their victories against Paraguay and Australia in the group stages.
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina betting tip: USA to win & under 3.5 goals
