After winning Group D in dominant fashion, your USMNT is set to embark on yet another Knockout Stage campaign. First on the docket: a showdown with a spirited Bosnia and Herzegovina side whose young starlet was born in Appleton, Wisconsin. It’s a matchup full of fun stories and more than a little resilience, and one that both sides will believe they can come out on top of. Without further ado, here’s your Round of 32 preview for the most important game of the tournament — so far. 

History

Tomorrow’s match will be just the fourth-ever meeting between these two teams and the first in official competition. The US have won twice and drawn once against their Round of 32 foes, including a thrilling 4-3 win in 2013 that saw Jozy Altidore score a hat trick to complete a US comeback. 

An added layer of history comes from the story of 21-year-old Bosnian forward Esmir Bajraktarević. The young winger was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Bosnian parents, who emigrated to the US in 2001 following the Bosnian War. Bajraktarević earned a cap with the USMNT in 2024, playing in a friendly against Slovenia. He later decided to represent the nation of his heritage, making his one-time switch a few months later. He’s earned 19 caps with Bosnia and Herzegovina since and even scored the penalty that officially sent his team to the World Cup. Now, he’s set to become one of a precious few players to have played for and against the same national team, as his incredible, unique story continues. 

USMNT

Okay, let’s address the Türkiye game right away. Sure, the US lost, but let’s look at this in context: they scored two goals with a largely rotated roster, put on yet another performance worth taking pride in, and, despite a late goal to give Türkiye the win, the boys looked up for the challenge to the final whistle. I don’t think that loss tarnishes what was an exceptional Group Stage performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, so there won’t be any panic here. 

As the USMNT seeks its first knockout win since 2002, they approach tomorrow’s match with a full complement of players at their disposal. Star forward Christian Pulisic has publicly stated his readiness to play, and the group of starters who rested in the final Group Stage match will come into this one fresh and ready to go. Winning their group will likely have given this team heaps of confidence, and with that classic American chip-on-the-shoulder attitude mixed with the magic of being a host nation, the vibes couldn’t be higher.

But will the performance match the vibes?

I expect to see a lineup very similar to what we saw against Paraguay in game one, and I don’t think the tactics will be too different either. This team can play with possession and has the talent to take control of the game early. The US will be looking for more of that energetic, front-foot play that saw them start the tournament with a bang, and they’ll turn to their established stars (McKennie, Pulisic, Adams, Richards) to set the tone. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Though they’ve only been an independent nation since 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina have established themselves as a competent, growing soccer presence, competing in both the 2014 and 2026 World Cups. They’re the third-smallest country at this summer’s tournament (3.12 million), behind only Curaçao (185,500) and Cape Verde (530,000). Despite any limitations or doubts leveled against them, this resilient group continues to shine, taking out Italy in the UEFA play-off to earn their spot at this year’s competition.

A stubborn performance in Group B saw the Bosnians earn a mixed bag of results, holding group winners Canada to a draw in their opening match and showing off their goal scoring in a 3-1 win over Qatar. Though they suffered a tough loss to Switzerland in their second match, the bump they will have gotten from that Group Stage-closing win against Qatar has likely given the squad a wave of positive momentum, making for two very motivated, confident sides ahead of tomorrow’s match. 

Bosnia’s talisman, Edin Dzeko, is now 40 years old, meaning he’s not making runs like he used to. Though his supporting cast can move around the pitch just fine, I expect Bosnia and Herzegovina to look for set pieces and calculated counter opportunities against a US team that will likely have the edge from a fitness perspective. 

The Prediction

Disclaimer: The longer the US stays alive, the less reliable my predictions are likely to be. I can’t hide the fact that I bleed red, white, and blue during every World Cup, and I really believe that this group is capable of something special. I would never underestimate Bosnia and Herzegovina: Italy showed us how that goes. This won’t be an easy match, but the boys are gonna get it done. 

We’re about to channel those amber waves of grain, my friend. You better believe we’re climbing those purple mountain majesties above the enameled plains. ACROSS THE WILDERNESS, DANG IT. AMERICA!

I’M GOING 3-1 USA, BABY, AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!