- 1 USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: The co-hosts are out to keep order in Santa Clara
- 2 Team USA lean on their leaders to punch a ticket to the last 16
- 3 Bosnia are banking on their veterans to rattle the favourites
- 4 Probable line-ups:
- 5 2026 World Cup prediction: USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 6 Before anything else, a word on our predictions
- 7 No commitment from us
- 8 Information can change
- 9 Your role
- 10 Responsible gambling first
- 11 Legal age
- 12 About the images
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: The co-hosts are out to keep order in Santa Clara 
The United States meet Bosnia and Herzegovina again this Wednesday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in a last-16 tie that should crackle with tension. Group winners despite one harmless slip-up late on, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will fancy their chances of riding the home crowd all the way through. Bosnia, meanwhile, arrive with nothing to lose after squeezing through as one of the best third-placed sides, and they would love nothing more than to spoil the party for the tournament’s co-hosts.
The Americans impressed in their first two games, brushing aside Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) before easing off against Turkey (3-2). Sergej Barbarez’s Dragons have come from a long way back: after a draw with Canada (1-1) and a heavy loss to Switzerland (4-1), they booked their place with a huge win over Qatar (3-1). This is the first official meeting between the two countries, and it should be fierce from the first whistle.
Team USA lean on their leaders to punch a ticket to the last 16 
Used to the knockout stage and regular last-16 appearances, including in 2010, 2014 and 2022, the United States know a very open bracket could await if they get through. For this one, Mauricio Pochettino has a few fitness concerns to juggle, with Christian Roldan (muscle), Mark McKenzie (foot) and Auston Trusty (ankle) all doubts. The good news is the core of the side looks ready to go.
The Stars and Stripes will be driven by a hard-running midfield led by Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, with captain Christian Pulisic tasked with sparking the attack. Up top, Folarin Balogun is set to lead the line. The Monaco striker already has two goals in the tournament and has looked sharp throughout. At the back, Tim Ream’s experience alongside Chris Richards should bring the calm needed to shut down counter-attacks and avoid any nasty surprises.
Bosnia are banking on their veterans to rattle the favourites 
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, absent from the 2018 and 2022 editions, reaching the knockout rounds is already a major piece of history. Coach Sergej Barbarez has a doubt at right-back, with Amar Dedic struggling with a thigh issue. But the defence gets a huge boost from the return of Tarik Muharemovic (23), who has served his suspension after the red card against Switzerland and should walk straight back into the XI.
The plan for the Dragons is to turn this into a physical scrap in midfield and force the Americans into mistakes. Going forward, all eyes will be on the evergreen Edin Dzeko (40, 73 international goals), who will be desperate to get off the mark at this World Cup alongside the lively Ermedin Demirovic. With Sead Kolasinac’s left foot offering support from the back, Bosnia will believe they can drag the U.S. into a tight, awkward game and spring a surprise if it stays cagey.
Probable line-ups:
United States: Freese; Freeman, Ream, Richards, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Alajbegovic; Dzeko, Demirovic
on MathODDS
2026 World Cup prediction: USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Both teams to score: no
This last-16 tie should be a tight, tactical affair, with the U.S. looking to set the tempo from the start and Bosnia intent on shutting the door on space. The Americans showed real attacking intent in the group stage, but the stakes of a home knockout game should push Pochettino towards a safer setup at the back, especially after the gaps that showed against Turkey.
Bosnia, for their part, are likely to be cautious on the ball so they don’t leave themselves exposed to the pace of the U.S. attackers, such as Pulisic and Dest. Starved of quality service and up against a Richards-Ream partnership that will be itching to make amends, Bosnia’s forwards, especially the ageing Dzeko, could struggle to make an impact. With nerves high and margins fine, a tight game with at least one clean sheet looks the likeliest outcome.
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