USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina projected lineups, starting 11 for USMNT World Cup Round of 32 game

With the group stage in the rear view mirror, the real jeopardy of the FIFA World Cup is staring the United States in the face as they begin the 2026 knockout stage with a Round of 32 match against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday.

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Every game from here on out is single-elimination, meaning any defeat would result in the USMNT’s elimination from the tournament on their home soil.

Mauricio Pochettino was brought in to change the level of the U.S. heading into the 2026 tournament, and early signs point to an uptick in performance, but an early knockout stage exit would undo all that good will.

They will face a Bosnia side that qualified as a third-place finisher in Group B alongside Switzerland and Canada. The USMNT currently sports a 12-game losing streak to European opponents that dates back to a 1-0 victory in 2021 over this very Bosnia & Herzegovina team.

Here is how the teams are predicted to line up, with team news and more regarding today’s game.

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USA projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 17. Tillman — 2. Dest, 8. McKennie, 10. Pulisic — 20. Balogun.

• Injured: Roldan (calf), Trusty (ankle)
• Suspended: None

The USMNT is largely at full strength, with the first-team players having been rested in the final group stage match against Turkey since the result had no effect on their standing.

There are two players struggling with injuries, but both are backups. Cristian Roldan missed the match against Turkey due to a calf injury and has missed more training since, while Auston Trusty turned his ankle in the group finale and could miss some time.

Yellow card tallies reset after the group stage in this new format, meaning the likes of Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun are back to the drawing board with everyone else. The next reset is not until after the quarterfinals, so World Cup players will have to avoid two bookings across the next three games to be in the clear.

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Bosnia & Herzegovina projected starting 11

(4-4-2, right to left): 1. Vasilj (GK) — 7. Dedic, 18. Katic, 4. Muharemovic, 5. Kolasniac — 20. Bajraktarevic, 6. Tahirovic, 13. Basic, 19. Alajbegovic — 10. Demirovic, 11. Dzeko.

• Injured: None
• Suspended: None

This Bosnia & Herzegovina team is nearly identical to the one that beat Italy on penalties in the playoff final of their UEFA qualifying journey back in March.

The spot they rotate the most is at striker, where 40-year-old Edin Dzeko is not the minutes-eater he once was. Haris Tabakovic, who scored in the win over Italy, and Jovo Lukic, who scored in the World Cup opener against Qatar, both rotate in alongside Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.

Tarik Muharemovic will return to the squad after his suspension in the final group stage for yellow card accumulation.

MORE: Where is Bosnia & Herzegovina on a map?

USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina predictions, betting odds

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1-2 paragraphs on what to expect from the game

• Score prediction: Team x 0-0 Team Y

USA World Cup rosters

Here are the names on USA’s and Bosnia & Herzegovina’s World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.

USA World Cup roster

MORE: A complete breakdown of USA’s 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Bosnia & Herzegovina World Cup squad

Head coach: Sergej Barbarez

Where to watch USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina

In USA:

• TV channel: FOX
• Live stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

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Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories: