SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The USMNT relied on goals late in each half—first a calm Folarin Balogun finish in the 45th minute, then a world-class free kick from Malik Tillman in the 82nd minute. Though the Stars and Stripes were reduced to 10 men following a Balogun sending-off in the 64th minute, the USMNT held on the defeat the European side in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
The victory—just the USMNT’s second in the World Cup’s knockout stage—sends the United States back to Seattle, Wash., where it will face Belgium at Seattle Stadium in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. The upcoming match marks the USMNT’s fourth appearance in the Round of 16 in its last four World Cup participations.
Knock Knock. 🚪
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 1, 2026
IT'S MATCHDAY FOR THE USA! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/gLsTmnTp44
The USMNT has defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32. The result secures the United States’ second knockout stage victory in program history.
Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes late in the second half. Ricardo Pepi is on for Christian Pulisic, while Sebastian Berhalter enters in place of Sergiño Dest.
Holding it down late. pic.twitter.com/SROrevffhk
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
Minutes later, Gio Reyna comes on for Weston McKennie.
After a Bosnia and Herzegovina foul just outside their box, Malik Tillman buries the direct free kick over the wall and off the fingertips of the outstretched Bosnian goalkeeper! It’s his first World Cup goal, and it’s United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.
The moment was Malik's. pic.twitter.com/IIe154NNWz
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
Tillman is just the second U.S. player on record (since 1966) to score a direct free-kick goal in the World Cup after Eric Wynalda vs. Switzerland in 1994.
The 10-man USMNT is absorbing pressure from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the Dragons search for the equalizer. On the other end following a fast break, a potential Christian Pulisic goal is waived off for offside.
Dig in. Find a way. pic.twitter.com/2GD0ETzxw1
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
Matt Freese makes a pair of saves in quick succession as the USMNT maintains its one-goal advantage.
After a VAR review, it was determined that Folarin Balogun committed a serious foul through a dangerous tackle. He subsequently received a red card, and the USMNT will see this one out with 10 men.
The Dragons make three substitutions just minutes into the second half. Captain Edin Džeko exits for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading 2026 World Cup goalscorer, Ermin Mahmic. Additionally, Benjamin Tahirovic comes on for Ivan Sunjic, and Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarevic enters for Armin Gigovic.
No changes from either side as the final 45 minutes of regular time gets going.
Balogun fired off one more chance before the break—a looping shot that bounded off the top of the crossbar—before the referee blew for halftime. It’s the first lead in a knockout stage match for the USMNT since the 2002 victory against Mexico in the Round of 16.
AHEAD AT THE BREAK! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/zeXoJwR6Df
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
Folarin Balogun gets his goal! The forward converts the USMNT’s first shot on target of the day into a late first-half lead, coolly rolling the ball under the hand of Vasilj. It’s United States 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.
BALO'S BEEN KNOCKING AND BALO'S GONNA DELIVER pic.twitter.com/4LBsGLozcw
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
Per Opta, Folarin Balogun is the third player to score three or more goals in a single edition of the World Cup for the U.S. after Bert Patenaude (4 in 1930) and Landon Donovan (3 in 2010). Plus, he hit LeBron James’ ‘silencer’ celebration.
LFG!!!!!! THE 🤫 HAS 🛬 at the World Cup! Helluva goal there Young 🤴🏾! 🫡. GO 🇺🇸 https://t.co/8wb2t2F6oq
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 2, 2026
There’s been just one shot on target—a Bosnia and Herzegovina shot in the 10th minute that was saved by Freese. Since then, neither side has tested the opposing goalkeeper. There have been a few chances in the final third for the USMNT, but nothing has come of them.
Folarin Balogun was all by himself at the top of the box, but after slotting the ball inside the near post, the goal was called back for offside.
At the first-half hydration break, the USMNT has controlled over 75% of the possession, patiently waiting to break down Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stout defense. Though the match remains scoreless, the United States has completed 113 more passes than Bosnia and Herzegovina (136-23).
Though the USMNT has dominated possession in the first 10 minutes (80%-20%), the Dragons broke through to fire a shot on target, ultimately parried away by Matt Freese. A subsequent Bosnia and Herzegovina corner kick tests Freese again, who punches the ball away.
Got up and got hands on it! @Matty_Ice49 pic.twitter.com/UeFM0b16tW
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026
A calm, focused first few minutes breaks open, as Christian Pulisic dribbles through the Dragon defense, taking a shot that deflects out of bounds for the USMNT’s first corner kick of the evening. Not long after, the Stars and Stripes earn another corner, but it’s headed out of harm’s way by a defender.
The USMNT’s first Round of 32 match is underway! Bosnia and Herzegovina on the ball first, and it trickles out for a corner kick.
Anthems played, flyover complete, the teams are taking the field here in Santa Clara!
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino rolls out a full-strength squad—the same starting lineup used in the opening FIFA World Cup 2026 victory against Paraguay. Only Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan are unavailable for selection.
RED WHITE & BLUE FOR THE ROUND OF 32! 🇺🇸#USMNT x The @HomeDepot pic.twitter.com/JBxpH4CQiY
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 1, 2026
Today’s USMNT Starting XI vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: 24-Matt Freese, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Chris Richards 4-Tyler Adams, 5-Antonee Robinson, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 16-Alex Freeman, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun
Substitutes: 1-Matt Turner, 25-Chris Brady, 6-Auston Trusty, 7-Gio Reyna, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Sebastian Berhalter, 18-Max Arfsten, 19-Haji Wright, 21-Tim Weah, 23-Joe Scally, 26-Alex Zendejas
Not Dressed: Mark McKenzie, Cristian Roldan
10 - The #USMNT have made 10 changes to the starting XI vs. Türkiye, the sixth time a team has made 10 or more lineup changes from match to match in a single FIFA World Cup, and third this year (Norway x2).
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 1, 2026
Four of the previous five teams won after making 10+ changes.
Restored. pic.twitter.com/U2FTRlFTtk
Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez has made three changes to the starting XI that faced Qatar – Amar Dedić, Tarik Muharemović, and Armin Gigović come in today for Arjan Malić, Ivan Bašić, and Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarević.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s starting XI: Nikola Vasilj, Tarik Muharemovic, Stjepan Radeljic, Nikola Katic, Sead Kolasinac, Ivan Sunjic, Armin Gigovic, Amar Dedic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Ermedin Demirovic and 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko.
🇺🇸🆚🇧🇦 Sa nestrpljenjem očekujemo početak utakmice protiv SAD-a.
— NFS BIH (@NFSBiH) July 1, 2026
🐉 Selektor Sergej Barbarez je odabrao 11 Zmajeva za susret šesnaestine finala Svjetskog prvenstva.
💙💛Sretno!#NFSBiH #zmajevi #FIFAWorldCup2026 #dreambigdreambih pic.twitter.com/jXwHO33bo2
With an average age of 28 years, 88 days, this is the oldest starting lineup Bosnia and Herzegovina have ever named at the World Cup. Additionally, Edin Dzeko is the first outfield player 40 years old or older to appear in a World Cup knockout match.
The USMNT is 14W-6L-3D in the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara). Specifically in Santa Clara and at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, the USMNT is 1W-1L-0D after a 2-0 loss against Colombia in a non-official match in 2016 and a 2-1 win against Jamaica in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup Final.
The last USMNT World Cup knockout stage match contested on home soil took place just 13 miles northwest of San Francisco Bay Area Stadium at Stanford Stadium. The result was a narrow 1-0 loss against eventual champions Brazil in the Round of 16 of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
The USMNT is seeking its second knockout stage victory in program history. The only previous instance of the USMNT winning in the knockout stage of the World Cup was the famous ‘Dos a Cero’ victory against Mexico in the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea Japan. That victory paved the way for the USMNT’s path to the Quarterfinals, its best finish at a World Cup in the modern era.
2 - The #USMNT have two knockout round wins against European opposition in their history:
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 1, 2026
1924 Olympics: 1-0 vs Estonia (Rd 1)
2009 Confederations Cup: 2-0 vs Spain (SF)
Opportunity. pic.twitter.com/tkLKoHrdhk
To advance to the Round of 16 for the fourth time in as many tries, the USMNT will need to defeat a European side in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, not since a 2021 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2021 in Carson, Calif., has the USMNT has defeated a European opponent.
A victory would send the USMNT back to Seattle, Wash. to face Belgium at Seattle Stadium on Monday, July 6 in the Round of 16.
Pochettino said that defender and goal scorer against Türkiye Auston Trusty is “much better than we expect” and could be available for this evening’s match, pending a final assessment. The coaching staff is waiting on more information to determine the availability of center back Mark McKenzie and midfielder Cristian Roldan.
“It’s going to be difficult, but we need to wait because in 24 hours things can change pretty quick,” Pochettino said.
The USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina for the fourth time—the first in official competition. In the pair’s first meeting in 2013, the USMNT overcame a 2-0 deficit in Sarajevo to win 4-3 thanks to a three-goal, one-assist performance from Jozy Altidore. In the following two meetings, the USMNT did not allow the Dragons to score, notching a scoreless draw and later a 1-0 win—both in Carson, Calif. in 2018.
Bosina and Herzegovina is anchored by an imposing trio of center backs: 23-year-old US Sassuolo man Tarik Muharemović, 33-year-old Atalanta BC veteran Sead Kolašinac, and 29-year-old Nikola Katić of FC Schalke 04. The Bosnian defense is also bolstered by rising 23-year-old talent Amar Dedić, who recently earned a move to SL Benfica.
The Dragons have a collection of talented attacking midfielders and forwards. 21-year-old Ermin Mahmić of Czech First League side FC Slovan Liberec leads Bosnia and Herzegovina with two goals through the group stage, while two other players have scored for the national team at this year’s tournament: FC Universitatea Cluj’s Jovo Lukić and 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović, with the latter earning an upcoming transfer from FC Red Bull Salzburg to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Additionally, European journeyman and current VfB Stuttgart goalscorer Ermedin Demirovic is searching for his first World Cup goal.
The club is captained by all-time appearance (150) and scoring (73) leader Edin Džeko. The 40-year-old—fresh off a 2. Bundesliga title to help FC Schalke 04 return to the top-flight Bundesliga—has enjoyed a decorated career featuring English Premier League titles at Manchester City FC, a victorious Bundesliga campaign at VfL Wolfsburg, two Coppa Italia crowns at Inter Milan and much more.
Finally, Bosnia and Herzegovina feature Appleton, Wisconsin-born winger Esmir Bajraktarević. The 21-year-old is a product of the Chicago Fire FC and New England Revolution academies, making his professional debut in USL League One with the Revs’ reserve team in 2021 before going on to make appearances with New England (2022-25) in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup. Today, he plays alongside USMNT players Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi at PSV Eindhoven, where he has won back-to-back Dutch Eredivisie titles. A previous member of the U.S. Youth National Teams, Bajraktarević made one USMNT appearance in a non-official contest against Slovenia in January 2024. FIFA granted Bajraktarević’s one-time switch to Bosnia and Herzegovina in August 2024.
From Eindhoven to the World Cup 🌍❤️🤍
— PSV (@PSV) June 10, 2026
Who will go the furthest? 👀#CreatingStarsTogether pic.twitter.com/h5Zu4W2nU8
Since earning its independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina have participated in the World Cup twice: first in 2014 and second in 2026. The Dragonswere the lone debutants at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, exiting after the group stage following a 1W-2L-0D record. Despite the group stage record, Bosnia and Herzegovina did impress, losing by a single goal against knockout stage participants Argentina and Nigeria before defeating Iran by multiple goals.
This year, the Dragons advanced to the knockout stage for the first time after finishing third in Group B. A 1W-1L-1D group stage record featuring a 1-1 draw against co-hosts Canada, a 4-1 loss against group winners Switzerland and a 3-1 victory against Qatar ensured Bosnia and Herzegovina would finish as the fifth-best third-place team to advance to the Round of 32.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently ranked 61st in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings, rising three spots since the last official ranking on June 11 thanks to a 1W-1L-1D record in the group stage.
Concluding its group stage run with a 3-1 victory against Qatar—its second-ever World Cup victory—Bosnia and Herzegovina snapped a seven-match winless run dating back to November 2025. Before that, the Dragons finished without a victory in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League and were relegated to League B, albeit navigating a daunting League A group which featured Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary.
In UEFA World Cup qualifiers, Bosnia and Herzegovina constructed an 8W-1L-2D record in Group H—featuring victories against Romania, Cyprus and San Marino and a draw against Austria, among other results—to advance to the playoffs. From there, the Dragons shocked Wales in the semifinals and Italy in the Final—both on penalties following 1-1 draws—to advance to its second-ever World Cup.
Fans can watch Wednesday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on FOX in English and Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish on July 1 at 8 p.m. ET.
The match will be broadcast live on FOX with English commentary. Spanish commentary can be found on Telemundo and Peacock starting at 8 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET.
Fans can stream USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on the FOX One app with English commentary and Telemundo and Peacock with Spanish commentary starting at 8 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET.
Spanish-language commentary can be found on Fútbol de Primera. Coverage of the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tune in. Turn us up. pic.twitter.com/NXuznViXBY
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 1, 2026