The United States Men’s National Team had a quick run through Group D at the 2026 World Cup, securing first place with convincing wins over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0). Then came the wait to learn the Round of 32 opponent, as the expanded tournament field presented the possibility for all manner of combinations and scenarios. After the results rolled out, the formula produced Bosnia and Herzegovina, which finished at third place in Group B and set a new program best since failing to advance
to the knockout phase in 2014. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – a 71,000-seat venue with an “already-established” Bermuda grass surface – hosts the fixture.
This is the fourth all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT enjoying a 2-0-1 advantage and claiming the most recent result in a December 2021 friendly (1-0). Ranked 64th internationally by FIFA, Bosnia clinched a spot in the final tournament by finishing second in Group H of UEFA qualification with a 5-1-2 record before dispatching Wales (1-1 [4-2]) and Italy (1-1 [4-1]) in playoff shootouts. Drawn into Group B at the World Cup, Zmajevi (The Dragons) claimed third in Group B with a draw against Canada (1-1), a defeat to Switzerland (1-4), and a win over Qatar (3-1).
Sergej Barbarez was appointed to the manager role in April of 2024, in what was described as a “very important day for football in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The 54-year-old retired forward served as captain for the national team and spent time with Hannover, Union Berlin, Hansa Rostock, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg, and Bayer Leverkusen. A former professional poker player and outspoken television pundit, he has “overhauled the squad” and stamped out any notion of “self-pity” after the loss to Switzerland.
Barbarez named a 26-player roster for the World Cup; Osman Hadžikić and Nidal Čelik were removed due to injury. The domestic Premier League is home to one call-up, while the rest of the group is stationed in various European competitions, including six in the German pyramid. Notable absences include Amer Gojak, Jusuf Gazibegović, Haris Hajradinović, Luka Menalo, and Adrian Leon Barišić.
***
GOALKEEPERS (3): Nikola Vasilj (FC St. Pauli), Mladen Jurkas (Borac Banja Luka), Martin Zlomislić (Qarabağ)
DEFENDERS (8): Nihad Mujakić (Gaziantep), Dennis Hadžikadunić (Sampdoria), Tarik Muharemović (Sassuolo), Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedić (Benfica), Nikola Katić (Schalke 04), Stjepan Radeljić (Rijeka), Arjan Malić (Sturm Graz)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Benjamin Tahirović (Brøndby), Armin Gigović (Young Boys), Ivan Bašić (Astana), Ivan Šunjić (Pafos), Amar Memić (Viktoria Plzeň), Amir Hadžiahmetović (Hull City), Dženis Burnić (Karlsruher SC), Kerim Alajbegović (Red Bull Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV), Ermin Mahmić (Slovan Liberec)
FORWARDS (5): Samed Baždar (Real Zaragoza), Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Džeko (Schalke 04), Haris Tabaković (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jovo Lukić (Universitatea Cluj)
***
At the World Cup, Barbarez has utilized a 4-4-2 formation that is “designed to stay compact and organized out of possession,” with “a robust defensive shell” while “looking to force quick breaks.” He is more than happy to “park the bus” after securing a lead, but his squad is capable of “dictating the tempo” and “unlocking the opposition” while maintaining possession in the attacking half. The striker partnership is key, as the duo is expected to chase long balls over the top and convert service from the wingers and fullbacks. This is an old-school, hardline side that plays a physical game but can be beaten on the counter and through quick combinations.
Nikola Vasilj has enjoyed his reign as the undisputed number one for the program and has developed a reputation as something of a specialist on stopping penalties, which becomes a factor in the knockout phase. The 30-year-old soon-to-be-out-of-contract FC St. Pauli goalkeeper boasts a big frame at six feet, four inches tall, which enables him to block out large portions of space when creeping up to meet onrushing attackers. He also has the agility to get to ground quickly and has displayed fairly secure hands when avoiding giving up costly rebounds, although his effort on Switzerland’s first goal could have been firmer. At the World Cup, his distribution has been minimal, playing one of the lowest numbers of accurate passes among his positional cohort and mostly attempting to go long when given the opportunity.
Tarik Muharemović displays surprising mobility and agility for his six-four frame and will combine with teammates, cover large swaths of turf, and pop up for acrobatic clearances. Despite his deftness with and without the ball, the 23-year-old Sassuolo centre-back can still crash around in the physical sphere and stop an opponent dead in his tracks with a challenge. Schalke’s Nikola Katić is utterly dominant in the air and a clean-up machine with all the requisite clearances, tackles, and interceptions, turning his portion of the field into a no-go zone. He has an excellent read on the play, which enables him to seemingly always be in the right place for an important touch without having to expend too much energy or travel very far. Stjepan Radeljić of Rijeka stands at six feet, seven inches tall and played a key role during the early stages of qualifying with obvious regular header wins. In addition to using his body to seal dribblers out of advancements up the line, his sliding challenges are a work of art, demonstrating excellent timing and clearing out attackers.
Sead Kolašinac lines up at centre-back for Atalanta but deploys at fullback for Bosnia, displaying speed, an eagerness to slide in for a hard tackle, and smart decision-making in the final third. The former Germany youth international makes his mark with physical play and a tenacious style of advancing, fighting through contact from the first whistle until the last. Amar Dedić excels in making one-on-one stops and is quick to burst into the transition game, relishing the opportunity to run into the open space and beat opponents off the dribble. The 23-year-old Benfica fullback has a tendency to cheat toward the center in the defensive and attacking thirds, taking advantage of the half-spaces during his bursts of progression. Typically lining up in the midfield for Karlsruher SC, Dženis Burnić slots into the back line for Bosnia and is “known as a player without oscillations” who can also contribute to the scoreline. He has the quality to deliver sublime service and field switches, which can help to take his team out of trouble or send someone out on to the counter. After switching his allegiance from Slovenia, Sturm Graz’s Arjan Malić picked up the start in the crucial group stage victory over Qatar, a “quiet” and “limited” performance with two inaccurate crosses that saw him subbed out at halftime. However, the Jesenice native, a late addition to the squad, likes to “play aggressively” and “go into duels” and can be quite adept when pressing the issue with his advancements.
Benjamin Tahirović always finds himself in the action when regaining possession with timely intercessions or taking control in attack by shielding, avoiding challenges, and slipping a smart pass. The 23-year-old Brøndby midfielder is perhaps at his most useful when reacting quickly in the advanced zones and forcing turnovers by swarming to the ball or stepping into a lane. Pafos’ Ivan Šunjić has a wide range of distribution that enables him to hang back near the center-backs and spread the ball to either wing or jump-start the counter. The former Croatia senior international will also serve as the last defender if necessary: stopping breakaways, providing support in the build-up, and winning headers. Ivan Bašić of Astana has a dipping, looping delivery with his left foot and will pop up at the top of the box with the ability to slot home a low, driven shot. He has been one of his side’s best chance creators at the World Cup but can thrive in any zone with his propensity to maintain possession and provide connections across the entire formation.
Amar Memić made his senior international debut in 2025 and quickly became an important member of the squad, bringing his breakneck style and one-on-one chaos to both sides of the field. The 25-year-old Viktoria Plzeň winger will alternately drive to the touchline or display the presence of mind to hit the early cross to either the far post or the top of the box, having attracted multiple defenders. Kerim Alajbegović is set to return to his former academy side of Bayer Leverkusen after spending his first professional season with Red Bull Salzburg and contributing 13 goals and four assists in 44 total appearances. The Germany-born teenager will drop back into the formation and do the hard work of progression, act as a creator, or take the initiative and let loose his lethal long-distance strike. Former U.S. international Esmir Bajraktarević of PSV is elusive when evading pressure but will also look to play a fast game with a quick pass or shot that catches the opponent off guard. While normally on the right flank and hitting crosses or using his pace to burn past fullbacks, he will drift toward the center and create combinations with his teammates.
Ermedin Demirović is able to drop deep and create space for teammates, providing “physicality, link-up play, and the ability to turn and deliver through balls into the final third” while maintaining possession. The 28-year-old Stuttgart striker is also an expert at finding space in the box and can be relied upon for a regular string of close-range finishes, bullying opponents and displaying eye-catching acrobatics. High-pressure situations call for leadership and experience, and Edin Džeko recently entered his fourth decade yet continues to menace defenses with several crucial finishes during qualifying. Standing at six feet, four inches tall, the Sarajevan can still provide the crucial touch on the ball, has an absolute laser of a strike, and will win his expected headers over outmatched players. Universitatea Cluj’s Jovo Lukić picked an opportune time for his first senior international goal to help secure the 1-1 draw with Canada, redirecting a corner into the back of the net. He is an imposing target who knows how to get on the end of crosses and set pieces while also having the speed to race on the break and that preternatural ability to be in the right place at the right time.
As far as the final 32 teams go, the USMNT avoided the more powerful sides and has a legitimate shot at progressing to the Round of 16, presumably favored and carrying homefield advantage. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated mettle in the high intensity of elimination matches and brings a unique level of immediate experience. Expect a tight dance as neither group wants to make the wrong step before a goal breaks open proceedings and turns up the heat.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1st at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include FOX, Telemundo, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
