The United States men’s national team face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara at 8 p.m. ET in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32. It’s the USMNT’s first knockout game on home soil since the 1994 World Cup, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side go in as heavy favorites.

USA topped Group D after wins over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0), along with a draw that still put them through first. Bosnia made history simply by getting here. They’re the first Bosnian side ever to reach a World Cup knockout round.

A US Team Playing With Real Belief

Folarin Balogun has been the story of the US tournament so far. He chose to represent the United States despite growing up in England and starting his career at Arsenal, and he’s been exceptional. Christian Pulisic is healthy and sharp. Pochettino looks like a manager who has finally gotten this group to play with confidence, and the squad is responding.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists USA at -250, Bosnia at +800, and the draw at +410. The analysts at CBS Sports and ESPN who have previewed the match see the US winning comfortably. But each has noted that Bosnia’s defensive discipline could make this uncomfortable if the US isn’t clinical.

Bosnia’s Route Here and Their Key Men

Sergej Barbarez guided Bosnia through a group that included co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. They drew Canada, lost to Switzerland, and beat Qatar. It was enough to advance as one of the eight best third-placed finishers. Nobody seriously expected them to be here.

Tarik Muharemovic, 23, returns from suspension Wednesday and immediately strengthens Bosnia’s back line. He was missed in the group stage. Up front, Edin Dzeko leads the line at 40 years old. He’s still dangerous on his day. He’s led Bosnia’s attack for over a decade, and he arrived at this tournament saying it would be his last World Cup.

What Wednesday Night Means for the USMNT

The USA has never reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup on home soil. They came close in 1994, losing in the round of 16 to Brazil. This match, in front of a home crowd in the Bay Area, is the first step toward ending that. Levi’s Stadium will be loud. The moment will be real.

The match airs on Fox Sports in the US. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET. Bosnia will sit deep, look to frustrate, and wait for Dzeko to get a moment. The US will come at them in waves. At some point — maybe the first 10 minutes, maybe a set piece — the tone of the whole game gets decided.

USA are the favorites, Bosnia are the story, and Wednesday night will settle which matters more.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)

How can I watch USMNT vs Bosnia in the 2026 World Cup?

The match airs on Fox Sports in the United States. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 1, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It can also be streamed on the Fox Sports app.

References

ESPN. (2026). United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at World Cup 2026: TV channel, how to watch, kick-off time, live stream, predicted line-ups. Published 2026.

CBS Sports. (2026). USMNT vs Bosnia-Herzegovina odds, prediction: 2026 World Cup Round of 32 picks by expert on 18-8 run. Published 2026.

NBC Sports. (2026). Who are Bosnia and Herzegovina? Cheat sheet on the USMNT’s Round of 32 foe at the World Cup. Published 2026.