USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | FIFA World Cup 2026- Round of 32 | Preview and Predictions

With Canada and Mexico having already sealed their spots in the Round of 16, USA will be looking to complete the trifecta of hosts in the next round as they take on a defensively resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina side who will look to continue their fairytale run in this competition.

Here is our Preview and Predictions for the game.

FIFA WC26 | RO32: USA vs BIH | 05:30 IST, 02 July, 2026

The USA have been one of the surprises of this tournament and on the face of it probably the best out of the three co-hosts so far. Yes they did suffer a loss against Turkiye in the final game of their group, but it was a much-changed side and they had already won the group by then to seal their spot in the next round.

Under Mauricio Pochettino, they look like a side who is ready to outrun any opposition to the ground. They follow a high-intensity and high-octane pressing approach which does not allow the opposite to settle, as evidenced in their first game against Paraguay where they ran rampant. They have a lot of players who are hitting their stride at the right time. Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, and Christian Pulisic have all been key contributors and have collectively led the charge for their side.

However, the USA does not have a good record in the knockout stages of the World Cup, having failed to win a knockout match since 2002, where they beat Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16. They also have a pretty poor record against European nations, losing their last 12 games against them.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a fairytale ride and anything above this comes as a bonus for them. This is their first appearance in the knockout stages as an independent nation and they will look to make the most out of it.

Once again they will look to make the most out of their set-piece advantage, having already scored 3 goals so far, the most in a single World Cup since England’s 4 goals 8 years ago at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Defender Tarek Muharemovic returns from suspension, giving them a huge uplift in the heart of their backline. However, they will be hoping that Amar Dedic recovers in time for the game from what is perceived to be a thigh injury.

USA will be glad to know that Pulisic has been given the all-clear from the calf injury that limited his minutes in the World Cup and Pochettino will be pleased to welcome him back into the fold. 

Despite the tricky nature of the opponents in the form of Bosnia, we believe that the USA has enough skill, quality, and class in their ranks to start this game as favourites and qualify for the Round of 16, where they will face either Belgium or Senegal.

Score Predictions: USA 3-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara.