The United States Men’s National Team is almost sure of its round of 32 opponent: Bosnia and Herzegovina. That won’t be 100% set until the night of Saturday, June 27, but statistical analysis puts the odds of a US-Bosnia match at more than 99%.
By virtue of its 3-1 victory over Qatar on Wednesday, June 24, Bosnia finished third in Group B. The US, as winners of Group D, were guaranteed to face a third-place team from one of five different groups (no matter how its final group game goes Thursday against Turkiye). Per a FIFA table with 495 possibilities on it, almost all roads lead to a showdown with the Group B third-placer.
Per a complicated statistical analysis by the New York Times/The Athletic, the odds that the US will play Bosnia are greater than 99%, though they won’t reach 100% until the group stage concludes on June 27. FIFA’s table, with almost 500 combinations, depends on which eight (of 12) third-place finishers advance, and at this point, all likely outcomes have the Group D winner playing the Group B third-placer.
The USMNT would take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The game will be televised on FOX and Telemundo.
How would the US not play Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Next USA soccer game
Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. TBA, but 99% Bosnia and Herzegovina
More: What’s next for USMNT and Mexico? Possibilities for rounds of 32, 16
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium (Bay Area Stadium) in Santa Clara, Calif.
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Kickoff time: 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: USA soccer round of 32 opponent is almost surely Bosnia and Herzegovina
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
