The final group stage games of the 2026 World Cup are underway as nations jostle for spots in the round of 32.
While some nations are entering the final games with a lot on the line, the U.S. men’s national team enters its game with Turkey stress-free. The USMNT are the winners of Group D, regardless of the result of the final game, and will almost certainly face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 at Levi’s Stadium (named San Francisco Stadium for the tournament) on July 1 (8 p.m. Eastern).
It’s a rare spot for the USMNT, who will aim to win all three group stage games in a World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history after blitzing Paraguay 4-1 and beating Australia 2-0. An added bonus for the Turkey game? Star winger Christian Pulisic is available after nursing a calf injury.
Watch USA vs Turkey in World Cup on Fubo (free trial)
After winning Group D, the USMNT locked in a game against a third-place team from one of Groups B, E, F, I, or J in the knockout round. While the matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina is not official until the completion of group stage play, according to FIFA’s 495 combinations for the Round of 32, only one scenario would result in the USMNT not facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco.
So it’s almost impossible that the game doesn’t happen, especially after a 3-1 victory over Qatar on Wednesday secured third place in Group B for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Round of 32 game will be the first appearance in the knockout rounds in a World Cup for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s only the nation’s second World Cup, and they reached the finals by winning a European playoff, a penalty shootout win over Italy.
In the 2026 World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina tallied four points in Group B, with a win over Qatar and a draw with Canada, sandwiching a loss to Switzerland. They’ve scored five goals in three games, while conceding six, including four to Switzerland.
The squad has a mix of veterans, like the nation’s best-ever goal scorer, Edin Dzeko, and a star defender in Sead Kolasinac, and young talent, led by starlet Kerim Alajbegovic. The 18-year-old winger scored for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the win over Qatar, a stunning solo effort that ended in a strike from outside the box.
It will be a physical test for the USMNT against a physical Bosnia and Herzegovina squad. But the pace and quality in the midfield and forwards for the USMNT will put constant pressure on the opposing backline.
If the game is played, as expected, it will be the fourth meeting between the two nations. The USMNT has won twice and drawn once against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to watch USMNT vs. Turkey
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who will USMNT play in World Cup Round of 32? Bosnia and Herzegovina
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Palm Beach Post
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By Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
