LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

USMNT’s Round of 32 opponents confirmed as World Cup knockout bracket takes shape

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

The United States men’s national team have just learned which team they will play in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

The USMNT have already confirmed their first-place finish in Group D with victories over Paraguay and Australia.

The result in Thursday night’s game against Turkiye will have no impact on the USA’s path in the knockout rounds.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side can already start preparing to face the third-place finisher from Group B.

USMNT learn Bosnia and Herzegovina await in World Cup Round of 32

The United States will almost certainly face Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday.

Bosnia’s 3-1 victory over Qatar means they are more than 99 percent likely to be the USA’s Round of 32 opponents.

USA v Paraguay: Group D - FIFA World Cup 2026
Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images

The European team finished third in Group B behind Switzerland and host nation Canada on four points, with a -1 goal difference.

Bosnia are the third-youngest team at the World Cup, with an average age of 25.92, despite having two well-known veterans.

Many American fans will have heard of former Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac and ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

Both Kolasinac and Dzeko are likely to start against the USMNT, alongside a host of exciting young players.

It will not be a walkover for the USA, but they will be expected to win and advance to the last 16 of the tournament.

Pochettino’s side also have a good idea of who their Round of 16 opponent will be, with two likely options.

If the USMNT beat Bosnia next week, they will face the winner of Group G (Egypt or Belgium) in the following round.

The USA defence would then have to deal with one of two football icons playing in their last World Cup: Mohamed Salah or Kevin De Bruyne.