USA vs Bosnia Match Preview, Prediction, Timings, Lineups & How to Watch — FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32

The USMNT’s World Cup journey continues — and the hosts now know exactly who stands between them and the Round of 16. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a side that qualified through sheer grit and two penalty shootout victories, arrives in Los Angeles ready to cause an upset on American soil. This is not a gimme. This is a proper footballing test.

USA vs Bosnia — Match Info

How Bosnia Got Here — A Story of Guts

This is a side that has earned every single result on the road to the US. Bosnia and Herzegovina finished second in their qualifying group behind Austria, going 5-2-1 against Romania, Cyprus and San Marino. They then won back-to-back playoff shootouts — first against Wales, where Edin Dzeko scored an 86th-minute equalizer before the Bosnians won 4-2 on penalties, then against Italy, where they came from behind after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card and won the shootout 4-1.

At the tournament itself, Bosnia drew 1-1 with Canada, lost 4-1 to Switzerland, then rallied with a 3-1 win over Qatar to sneak into the knockout round on four points.

Key Players to Watch

Edin Dzeko — the 40-year-old all-time record holder with 150 appearances and 73 goals for Bosnia — remains a threat in front of goal. But the real excitement surrounds the younger generation: 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović, who scored against Qatar and is headed to Bayer Leverkusen, and 24-year-old winger Esmir Bajraktarevic, who made 36 appearances for PSV Eindhoven this past season. Bajraktarevic, who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin but chose Bosnia, brings dangerous creativity down the flanks. foxsports

Also notable is 21-year-old Ermin Mahmic, born in Austria but recently switched allegiance to Bosnia via FIFA, who scored the crucial third goal against Qatar off the bench.

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What the USA Brings

The USMNT finished second in Group D on six points and will enjoy full home advantage in front of a passionate LA crowd. With Folarin Balogun chasing the Golden Boot and Mauricio Pochettino’s side building momentum, the hosts will be expected to advance — but Bosnia’s playoff-hardened mentality makes them far from a pushover. Fans can read more about the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wikipedia.

Prediction

Bosnia are dangerous in transitions and have shown resilience throughout, but the USA’s home advantage, depth and attacking quality should ultimately tell.

Predicted Score: USA 2–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

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