United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup hoping to reach the last-16 on Thursday at 1am (UK time).
Co-hosts USA have had a dream World Cup so far, finishing top of their group after their second game. It kept them on the desired path for the tournament as they look to make history. USA opened their World Cup with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Paraguay, before beating Australia 2-0. They did rotate players in their final game, with top spot secured, and suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Turkey. But it did not dampen many spirits.
This is a historic moment for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who are in World Cup knockout stages for the first time. It looked to be a tough task after two games, with Bosnia-Herzegovina stuck on just one point. They had drawn their opening game against Canada, before losing 4-1 to Switzerland. But a 3-1 win agianst Qatar in the final group match was enough to secure Bosnia-Herzegovina’s spot as one of the best third-placed sides.
This will be the fourth match between these two sides, with USA winning two of the three so far, alongside one draw.
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USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina team news
USA team news
Christian Pulisic came off the bench in the group stage game against Turkey, marking his return from a small injury worry. So he’s likely to return to the starting lineup, in a much more familiar team. Mauricio Pochettino rotated his starting XI to face Turkey, knowing top spot was already confirmed. A return for Pulisic will also see Serginio Dest on the right, with Weston McKennie in the No.10 role.
Although Dest is a full-back by trade, Pochettino has been utilising him further forward, to allow a switch between a back four and back five. Alex Freeman’s role as right-back helps here, having also played at centre-back at the World Cup. He’ll be joined in the defence by Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson — all of whom were rested last time out.
With McKennie in the No.10, Malik Tillman and Tyler Adams are expected to return as Pochettino’s starting double pivot. The trio will combine centrally, as they did in USA’s first two matches — albeit in different formations. Folarin Balogun will lead the line, with Ricardo Pepi having to settle for a substitute role.
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Bosnia-Herzegovina team news
Tarik Muharemovic is available for selection after his red card against Switzerland. The centre-back is expected to return to the defence alongside Nikola Katic, with Stjepan Radeljic dropping out. Amar Dedic is also expected to return at right-back, having been a suspension risk last time out. Sead Kolasinac should complete the defence, with Nikola Vasilj in goal.
At the other end of the pitch, Edin Dzeko has returned to the starting lineup having missed out in the opening game. He has partnered Ermedin Demirovic in each of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s past two matches, and they’ll continue as the strike partnership.
Kerim Alajbegovic should continue on the left side of the midfield, after his breakthrough performances. The teenager scored the opening goal against Qatar to set Bosnia-Herzegovina on their way to the knockout stages. He has shone at the World Cup so far, with Esmir Bajraktaveric on the right. Ivan Basic and Ivan Sunjic may have found themselves form as the first-choice central midfield partnership.
USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina predicted lineups
USA (4-2-3-1): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A Robinson; Tillman, Adams; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Basic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
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