Santa Clara: USA to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup round of 32

By Bilal Ahmed — 1 July 2026 — 4 min read

The United States national team is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32 in Santa Clara, California, on Wednesday. This match offers the USA an opportunity to regain momentum and credibility in the tournament.

After securing top spot in Group D by winning their first two games, the USA experienced a 3-2 loss to Turkiye in Inglewood, California. Despite the setback, defender Mark McKenzie expressed the team’s continued enthusiasm, stating their ambition to advance far in the competition and ultimately win it.

Tactical Adjustments and Player Form

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USA has seen tactical adjustments and changes in its lineup. Only four players from a year ago remain in the starting eleven: goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Alex Freeman and Chris Richards, and midfielder Malik Tillman. Pochettino has primarily used a three-at-the-back setup, which allows Freeman and Antonee Robinson to provide wing support for players like Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest.

Robinson, who was affected by injury a year ago, is coming off a strong season in the English Premier League with Fulham. In central defense, the experienced Tim Ream, 38, partners with Richards. The midfield features Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Tillman, while the attack is led by Folarin Balogun, supported by Dest and Pulisic, or Ricardo Pepi.

Pochettino‘s strategy involves an aggressive, high-pressing approach, often daring opponents to try to break out of the press after conceding a throw-in. This tactic, which Pochettino previously used with Paris Saint-Germain, involves intense chasing and double-teaming. While effective, it carries risks, as seen in instances where USA players were nutmegged, including in a decisive sequence against Turkiye.

Weston McKennie has been a consistent positive presence in the USA midfield during the World Cup. His ability to adapt to the team’s needs, making runs into attacking channels and creating mismatches, has been valuable. His performances, though sometimes overshadowed by the team’s goals, are crucial due to his movement and running.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Defensive Strategy

Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to adopt a defensive approach against the USA. Their strategy is anticipated to be similar to what the USA encountered against Paraguay, likely involving a mid-block defense rather than a low one. This means they will defend higher up the field but aim to avoid leaving themselves overly exposed.

In the tournament, Bosnia and Herzegovina had the third-fewest entries into the opponent’s 18-yard box among all teams, and the lowest among those that advanced to the round of 32. This statistic suggests their focus on defensive solidity.

Despite their defensive orientation, Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses players capable of impacting the attack. Esmir Bajraktarević, 21, is known for his ball control and ability to dribble past defenders, creating opportunities for passes. He is a proven winner with his club PSV Eindhoven, having secured two consecutive Dutch league titles. Additionally, Edin Džeko, 40, remains a threat in the opposition box, capable of scoring important goals even if he does not start the match.

For the USA, scoring an early goal will be crucial against a defensively minded opponent. The team has demonstrated this capability in the tournament, scoring in the third, 11th, and seventh minutes in their initial three games. Taking an early lead can dictate the flow of the game, especially when facing teams that sit back.

The USA has a record of three wins, 15 losses, and seven draws against European teams, with only one victory since 1950. The match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday will be another test against a European opponent.

Looking Ahead

The USA will need to demonstrate patience and vary their game speed against Bosnia and Herzegovina. High energy and pressing alone may not be sufficient against stronger competition. The team can draw inspiration from the 2002 team, which reached the quarterfinals after a strong start in that tournament.

The USA‘s recent loss to Turkiye, in front of a crowd of 70,492, serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead. The team’s aggressive mentality and pressing have been effective so far, particularly in winning the ball higher up the field. However, this strategy may need to adapt against possession-oriented teams, such as a potential matchup with Belgium in the round of 16 if both teams advance.

The match against Bosnia and Herzegovina is scheduled for Wednesday in Santa Clara, California.

Source: aljazeera.com