U.S. Men's Soccer Team Meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup Round of 32

The U.S. men's national soccer team plays Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is the Americans' first in the knockout stage. A victory would give the United States its first knockout-stage win since 2002 and advance the team to the round of 16 next Monday in Seattle against the winner of Belgium versus Senegal.

Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the knockout stage for the first time after winning penalty shootouts against Wales and Italy. The U.S. secured first place in its group with wins over Paraguay and Australia before losing a final group match to Turkey.

Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced with a draw against Canada and a win over Qatar. Esmir Bajraktarević scored the decisive penalty kick against Italy that sent Bosnia and Herzegovina to the tournament. The U.S.

Squad held its final training session Monday at the Orange County base camp in Irvine, California. Two players continued modified training for ankle and quad injuries while another received treatment for a foot issue. The team is staying at a hotel in Dana Point overlooking the ocean.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation and rely on counterattacks. A U.S. defender said the team watched Germany's loss to Paraguay on Monday and wants to avoid a similar upset.

"It’s our chance to go farther in this tournament. We’ve seen two big boys fall," the defender said Tuesday.