INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side’s first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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The United States continues its World Cup campaign on Wednesday night when it meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in its round of 32 clash.
Here’s everything you need to know for the Americans’ first match in the new, expanded knockout phase.
How To Watch USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Time and Venue
Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
TV & Streaming
English: Fox, Fox One | Spanish: Telemundo, Peacock
USMNT, Bosnia and Herzegovina Projected lineups
USMNT Team News
The Americans have some minor health issues, but nothing impacting the players considered realistic candidates for Pochettino’s starting XI. That includes Christian Pulisic, who came out of his return to action off the bench in the group finale against Tukey with no major issues.
That said, Pulisic has not played a full 90 for club or country since March 15. And with the potential for 120 minutes in every match from here on, you could certainly imagine a world where Pochettino decides to bring him on at halftime.
The other big call is whom to pair alongside Tyler Adams in defensive midfield. Given Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tendency to sit deep, Weston McKennie may be the candidate given his ability to trouble defenses with late-arriving runs.
USMNT Projected Lineup (3-5-2, left to right)
Matt Freese (GK) – Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman – Antonee Robinson, Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest – Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun
Bosnia and Herzegovina Team News
The Baltic side should welcome back Tarik Muharemovic into the back four after he had to miss a 3-1 victory over Qatar in the group finale to serve a red card suspension. But fullback Amar Dedic is likely to miss a second consecutive match with a thigh injury.
American fans will likely see a familiar face in the right side of midfield, where American-born former New England Revolution product Esmir Bajrakterevic is likely to start.
Under Sergej Barbarez, this is a side that has pretty consistently played a 4-2-2-2 or 4-4-2, depending on your definition. Expect it to look more like the latter against an American side they will likely allow to have plenty of the ball.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Projected Lineup (4-4-2, left to right)
Nikola Vasilj (GK) – Sead Kolasinac, Tarik Muharemovic, Nikola Katic, Arjan Malic – Karim Alajbegovic, Ivan Basic, Ivan Sunic, Esmir Bajrakterevic – Edin Dzeko, Ermedin Demirovic
USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Prediction
Unfortunately for the USMNT, all the talking coming out of certain corners of the American soccer media sphere, it is likely to be an inspired Bosnia and Herzegovina side that takes the pitch in Northern California.
However, it will still be a limited one going forward. The tournament has come just a little too late for the 40-year-old Edin Dzeko, whose effectiveness has wanted considerably in the last year or two. And it may be a bit too soon for the 21-year-old Bajrakterevic, who was nonetheless an important piece of the qualifying effort.
The Americans eventually find a winning goal. But it won’t be pretty, and it might take until extra time.
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