90+10' - Full-time! United States advances to the Round of 16

The final whistle blows in Santa Clara. The United States lived up to expectations with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanks to goals from Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, securing a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

Final Score: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

90+5' - Reyna comes on to help see out the match

Mauricio Pochettino makes his final substitution as Giovanni Reyna replaces Weston McKennie. The change is aimed at helping the United States manage the closing minutes and secure its place in the next round.

Score: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

90+1' - Ten minutes added

The fourth official has signaled 10 minutes of added time in the second half. Down to ten men, the United States will try to protect its lead, while Bosnia and Herzegovina pushes for one last comeback attempt.

Score: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

88' - Pochettino makes late changes

The United States made two substitutions to see out the match. Ricardo Pepi replaced Christian Pulisic, while Sebastian Berhalter came on for Sergiño Dest as the hosts looked to protect their lead.

Score: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

82' - Tillman scores a stunning free-kick!

Malik Tillman produced a brilliant free-kick, curling his effort into the top-left corner with no chance for the goalkeeper. The United States doubles its lead and moves one step closer to the next round.

Score: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

80' - Radeljic booked for foul on Dest

Stjepan Radeljic was shown a yellow card after bringing down Sergiño Dest in the attacking half. The foul stopped a promising United States move and earned the Bosnian defender a booking.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

75' - Bosnia makes two changes in search of an equalizer

Bosnia and Herzegovina made two substitutions to inject fresh energy into the squad. Amar Memic replaced Nikola Katic, while Haris Tabakovic came on for Sead Kolasinac as the visitors pushed for a late equalizer.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

64' - Balogun sent off after VAR review

Play was stopped after a collision between Folarin Balogun and Tarik Muharemovic, with both players requiring medical attention. Following a VAR review, the referee overturned his original decision and showed a red card to the United States striker for his challenge on the Bosnian defender.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

51' - Triple change for Bosnia after Dzeko injury

Bosnia and Herzegovina makes three substitutions, highlighted by the injury-forced exit of Edin Dzeko, who handed the captain's armband to Sead Kolasinac before leaving the pitch. Esmir Bajraktarevic replaced Armin Gigovic, while Benjamin Tahirovic came on for Ivan Sunjic.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

45' - Second half underway

The second half is underway in Santa Clara. The United States looks to build on its lead, while Bosnia and Herzegovina searches for an equalizer to keep its knockout hopes alive.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

45+10' - Halftime

The first half comes to an end in Santa Clara. The United States heads into the break with the lead thanks to Folarin Balogun's goal, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to respond after halftime.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

45+1' - Five minutes added

The fourth official has signaled five minutes of added time at the end of the first half. The United States will look to extend its lead, while Bosnia and Herzegovina hopes to find an equalizer before the break.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

45' - GOAL! United States takes the lead

This time it counts for Folarin Balogun. The American striker finished left-footed from inside the box to beat the Bosnian goalkeeper and put the United States ahead just before halftime.

Score: United States 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

32' - Balogun's goal ruled out

Folarin Balogun found the net after a through ball from Weston McKennie, but the striker was caught offside before the finish. The goal was disallowed, keeping the score level.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

26' - Play resumes

Following the cooling break, the referee restarted the match. The United States continues to push forward, while Bosnia and Herzegovina remains organized defensively in a tightly contested battle.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

23' - Cooling break

The referee temporarily stopped play for the cooling break, giving players from the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina a chance to rehydrate before the match resumed.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

21' - Pulisic helps create another chance

Christian Pulisic won a foul after being brought down by Ivan Sunjic deep in the American half, allowing the United States to push forward. The attack ended with Tarik Muharemovic deflecting the ball behind for a corner as the hosts continued to apply pressure.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

20' - Brief stoppage after the play

Following his save in the previous sequence, goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj stayed down and required medical attention, forcing a short interruption in play. After treatment, the referee restarted the match.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

19' - Robinson goes close

Weston McKennie delivered a dangerous cross into the box that goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj managed to get a hand on. The rebound fell to Antonee Robinson, who arrived in a promising position but couldn't find the back of the net.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

15' - Balogun goes close

Folarin Balogun nearly gave the United States the lead, firing a right-footed effort from inside the box after a delivery by Antonee Robinson from a free kick. His shot narrowly missed the right post.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

6' - Play resumes after injury delay

The match was briefly halted after Armin Gigovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina went down injured. Following medical treatment, the referee signaled for play to continue.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

0' - Kickoff!

The match is underway at Levi's Stadium as the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina begin their battle for a place in the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the knockout stage here, every moment matters.

Score: United States 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

United States' Starting XI

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Starting XI

United States looks to prove its title credentials at home against a fearless Bosnia and Herzegovina

The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its most thrilling stage as the margin for error disappears. This Wednesday, the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet in a compelling Round of 32 matchup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where Mauricio Pochettino's side will attempt to live up to the expectations surrounding one of the tournament's host nations.

Based on what both teams showed during the group stage, the United States enters as the favorite. However, recent history suggests the challenge will be anything but straightforward. Standing in its way is a Bosnia and Herzegovina squad that has already exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time, yet Sergej Barbarez's team has made it clear it is not satisfied with simply being there.

Mauricio Pochettino's squad has impressed, but a troubling European trend remains

The United States delivered one of the strongest group-stage performances of the tournament. It opened with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay, followed by a convincing 2-0 win against Australia, before falling 3-2 to Türkiye in its final group match after rotating several players ahead of the knockout stage.

Still, one statistic cannot be ignored. The United States has lost its last nine matches against UEFA opponents, highlighting its recent struggles against European competition. Ironically, its most recent victory over a European nation came against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result that could provide an added psychological edge entering this encounter.

Bosnia has already made history and now believes another upset is possible

If one team has proven that expectations mean little at this World Cup, it is Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Balkan side opened with a 1-1 draw against Canada, suffered a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, and responded when it mattered most by defeating Qatar 3-1, securing qualification as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers.

That achievement marks a historic milestone, as Bosnia has reached the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time.

Bosnia understands it will likely need a near-perfect performance. Its game plan revolves around absorbing early pressure, remaining compact through midfield, and exploiting quick transitions whenever opportunities arise.

The battle between Pulisic and Dzeko could decide the knockout clash

One of the most intriguing aspects of this matchup will unfold in midfield. The United States will attempt to dictate possession through the creativity of Christian Pulisic, while Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will be tasked with disrupting Bosnia's rhythm and protecting the defensive line.

Bosnia's approach is expected to be more direct: defend with discipline, frustrate the American attack, and capitalize on counterattacks led by the experienced Edin Dzeko, who remains the team's primary attacking reference inside the penalty area.

Although recent numbers favor the United States offensively, they also expose defensive vulnerabilities. Across its last five matches, the Americans have scored 12 goals but conceded nine, leaving openings Bosnia will hope to exploit.

Follow all the action from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on beIN SPORTS.

WATCH beIN SPORTS XTRA LIVE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE