The United States bid for a first World Cup knockout win in 24 years as they take on Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 32.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side impressed in their first two outings at this tournament and topped their group despite defeat to Turkey in their last fixture. It leaves confidence high that the co-hosts can make a deeper run at this tournament having fallen short in their last three knockout games since their sole success against Mexico in 2002. Star forward Christian Pulisic is set to bolster the ranks after declaring himself fit to start on match eve, with the US starting to catch World Cup fever.
A 3-1 win over Qatar secured Bosnia’s place in the last 32 as a third placed qualifier, and they have the quality and experience to trouble their opposition here. Veteran striker Edin Dzeko is still leading the line a few months after his 40th birthday – and he and his teammates may just fancy their chances in Santa Clara...
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Read MoreThe lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but can US go where they’ve never gone before?
America’s World Cup test: Can a new generation finally rewrite the USMNT’s history of early exits?
USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina LIVE
- United States take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup last 32
- USMNT have one won World Cup knockout game in their history
- Mauricio Pochettino's side topped group and hopeful of deep run
- Christian Pulisic starts after recovering from injury
- USA XI: Freese; Dest, Richards, Robinson, Ream, Freeman; Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun
- Bosnia XI: Vasilj; Muharemovic, Kolasinac, Dedic, Katic, Radeljic; Gigovic, Sunjic; Demirovic, Dzeko, Alabegovic
USA 0-0 Bosnia
01:11 , Mike Jones12 mins: Ooof!
A long ball comes up to Edin Dzeko who brings it down and flicks it across to Ermedin Demirovic.
He fires a shot at goal but Matt Freese is on hand to palm it over the top.
A decent opportunity for Bosnia there. From the resultant corner, Freese is on hand again to slap at the ball and he manages to get it away.
USA 0-0 Bosnia
01:09 , Mike Jones9 mins: The US are controlling play with Bosnia sitting deep and trusting their defence to keep out the World Cup co-hosts.
USA are strong in the wide areas but Bosnia have a back five and are limiting the space for the wingers to work in.
USA 0-0 Bosnia
01:07 , Mike Jones6 mins: Hello!
An early sight of goal for Pulisic who dances inside from the left and takes a shot which is blocked at the edge of the box.
The ball goes out for a corner to the US but it comes to nothing.
USA 0-0 Bosnia
01:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: The US defend to corner without too much trouble.
The ball comes out to Christian Pulisic who looks to get forward but loses possession near the halfway line.
Kick off! USA 0-0 Bosnia
01:00 , Mike JonesBosnia get the game underway and work the ball over to the right before pinging it long.
They win themselves a corner.
"USA, USA"
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:58 , Kieran Jackson in Santa ClaraEven behind these ‘sound-proof’ glass protectors, the chants of “USA, USA” before and after the national anthem pierced through the walls.
70,000 in this mighty fine San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. And they’re ready for a show.
USA v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:55 , Mike JonesThe players come out onto the pitch and the national anthems are sung.
This match should be a fascinating encounter and the US are the favourites to advance to the next round.
Can they get through? We’re about to find out...
Pochettino on Bosnia-Herzegovina
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:50 , Mike JonesThe USMNT’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, spoke about tonight’s opponents.
He said: "Bosnia and Herzegovina are a very combative, aggressive and physical team, but they are also well organised and have a very good coach.
"When you watch their group-stage matches or their qualifier against Italy in March, you can see they have quality.
“It’s not just that they are aggressive and well organised; they have quality players and a coach who gives them the platform to perform."
USA's star man?
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:40 , Mike JonesFolarin Balogun scored twice against Paraguay and caused the own-goal that gave USA the lead against Australia.
He could join Bert Patenaude (four goals in 1930) and Landon Donovan (three in 2010) as the only players to score at least three goals in a single edition of the finals.
A bad sign for US
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:30 , Mike JonesUSA have won just one of their last 21 World Cup meetings with Uefa nations (D7 L13).
They are winless in their last 13 (D6 L7) since a 3-2 victory over Portugal in 2002.
USA v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:20 , Mike JonesThis will be the fourth meeting between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Stars and Stripes unbeaten in the first three (W2 D1), all in friendlies from 2013 to 2021.
America’s World Cup test: Can a new generation finally rewrite the USMNT’s history of early exits?
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleIs today the day that the USMNT write a different World Cup knockout story?
Can a new generation finally rewrite the USMNT’s history of early World Cup exits?
Belgium await in last-16
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:07 , Kieran Jackson in Santa ClaraA huge crowd gathered around a TV screen in the concourse - escaping the sun in the process - to watch on as Belgium confirmed their spot in the last-16 via a last-minute penalty.
Who will join them in Seattle next Monday?
The lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but can US go where they’ve never gone before?
Thursday 2 July 2026 00:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe World Cup has been great fun for the United States so far, with the team playing well and a real feel of tournament fever spreading through the nation. Kieran Jackson details the numbers behind the boom and asks if it can continue:
The numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but how far can US team go?
Bosnia-Herzegovina starting line-up
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:55 , Mike JonesBosnia XI: Vasilj; Muharemovic, Kolasinac, Dedic, Katic, Radeljic; Gigovic, Sunjic; Demirovic, Dzeko, Alabegovic
USA team to face Bosnia
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:54 , Mike JonesUSA XI: Freese; Dest, Richards, Robinson, Ream, Freeman; Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun
Team news on the way...
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, we should have teams for you very shortly. Will Christian Pulisic start?
Mauricio Pochettino full of respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleMauricio Pochettino is wary of the threat that Bosnia and Herzegovina will pose as the United States target a place in the round of 16.
"They deserve that respect," `he said. "You can see that they have quality, not only that they are aggressive and have good organisation. They have players with quality and a coach that provides the platform to perform.”
Fifa quietly scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand turned the cover-up into a marketing campaign
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe marketing team at Levi’s have had a good tournament. Lawrence Ostlere explains how the brand seized their opportunity after their logo was scrubbed off the side of the stadium:
Fifa scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand has got creative
About today's venue
Wednesday 1 July 2026 23:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is the final match of the tournament at the ground normally known as Levi’s Stadium, with the 71,000 capacity arena soon to be back in the possession of the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a lovely spot.
USA ready for penalties...if required
Wednesday 1 July 2026 22:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe United States have been practicing their penalties in training this week, just in case they are required later.
"We've been doing a lot of work on penalties. I won't go into that," defender Tim Ream said with a chuckle earlier in the week.
"That's something that we've been working on throughout the week together, even before the tournament started, so that's taken care of really. We know that, especially in the knockouts, one mistake on a set play can send you home. So we're fully focused on all aspects and all phases of the game."
Bosnia shrug off slights from co-hosts
Wednesday 1 July 2026 22:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleBosnia coach Sergej Barbarez has shrugged off American slights against his team, saying they need no extra motivation for their World Cup round-of-32 clash against the United States.
Former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard said on a podcast that the Bosnians were in for a brutal reality check at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday, while a network reporter mocked the nation on live TV before later apologising.
Barbarez said the hot takes were inevitable in the social media age and had no effect on the team.
"I have to admit things`like that happen on a daily basis," he told reporters on Tuesday. "We are a small country and sometimes things like that happen, but I have no problem with it. My boys don't have a problem with it ... You're playing for a place in the round of 16. If that's not motivation enough, then I don't really notice things like that."
Mauricio Pochettino: Bosnia knockout match is ‘final of the World Cup’ for USA team
Wednesday 1 July 2026 22:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnited States coach Mauricio Pochettino has cautioned against labelling his side as favourites for their upcoming World Cup round-of-32 clash against Bosnia, citing a string of recent upsets that have rocked the tournament.
Mauricio Pochettino: Bosnia knockout match is ‘final of the World Cup’ for USA team
Could The USA Really WIN The World Cup?
Wednesday 1 July 2026 22:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAdam Clery, meanwhile, is having fun at The Independent’s New York base – in his latest ACFC video, he asks the question if the US could really win the World Cup.
Copa Independent
Wednesday 1 July 2026 21:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleHave you been listening to Copa Independent, our World Cup podcast? Well, if not, there’s no time like the knockout stages to get your audio fix as our writers in the United States give you all of latest insight from the tournament. You can find the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts – or here.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who will win the World Cup?
Wednesday 1 July 2026 21:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWorld Cup 2026 fixtures, latest results and full tournament bracket
Wednesday 1 July 2026 21:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s a reminder of all of the results so far in the knockout round, and the full tournament bracket.
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
Belgium vs Senegal kicks off
Wednesday 1 July 2026 21:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe winner of this tie will take on either Belgium or Senegal in the next round – and the action in Seattle is about to get underway:
Belgium vs Senegal LIVE: Team news and latest updates from World Cup clash
The unique World Cup club that illuminates Edin Dzeko’s enduring quality
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe enduring class of Edin Dzeko provides a large part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s threat. Before the tournament, Richard Jolly profiled a 40-year-old striker still causing trouble:
The unique World Cup club that illuminates Edin Dzeko’s enduring quality
How Bosnia and Herzegovina got here
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was one of each for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the group stages, with a horror show against Switzerland quickly cast aside as they beat Qatar to seal progress.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Canada
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-4 Switzerland
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar
Christian Pulisic set to start
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleChristian Pulisic has declared himself fully fit and good to go in a significant boost for the United States ahead of their round of 32 tie. “I feel ready,” the forward said when asked if he was able to get through 90 or 120 minutes after injury.
The strange Mauricio Pochettino outburst that is cause for concern for USA ahead of World Cup knockouts
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleMauricio Pochettino was in a strange mood afterwards, mind, insisting his team weren’t getting the credit they deserved for topping the group.
The Pochettino outburst that is cause for concern for USA before World Cup knockouts
USA undone by late Turkish sucker-punch but nippy Pulisic cameo maintains momentum
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleKieran Jackson was at that Turkey game – and still felt relatively encouraged about the United States despite their defeat, particularly with Christian Pulisic featuring off the bench.
USA undone by late Turkish sucker-punch but nippy Pulisic cameo maintains momentum
How the United States got here
Wednesday 1 July 2026 20:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe United States topped Group D, assuring themselves of that spot with strong wins over Paraguay and Australia and thus able to rest a few players in their final game against Turkey.
USA 4-1 Paraguay
USA 2-0 Australia
USA 2-3 Turkey
America’s World Cup test: Can a new generation finally rewrite the USMNT’s history of early exits?
Wednesday 1 July 2026 19:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe United States’ history at World Cups suggests that disaster may be around the corner, mind. Will things be different in 2026?
Can a new generation finally rewrite the USMNT’s history of early World Cup exits?
The lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but can US go where they’ve never gone before?
Wednesday 1 July 2026 19:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe World Cup has been great fun for the United States so far, with the team playing well and a real feel of tournament fever spreading through the nation. Kieran Jackson details the numbers behind the boom and asks if it can continue:
The numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but how far can US team go?
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Wednesday 1 July 2026 17:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe United States are eyeing just a second World Cup knockout win in their history as they take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara. Having topped their group, hope is growing that Mauricio Pochettino’s men can go deeper into this tournament – but their opponents today will pose a tricky test.
Kick off is at 1am BST (8pm ET/5pm PT).
