On 2 July, the USA national team will be looking to progress to the next round of the 2026 World Cup when they host Bosnia and Herzegovina in California.
USA national team
The USA national team are producing results and playing effectively. Manager Mauricio Pochettino hopes this momentum will not be lost. The defeat to Turkey was only their second in their last nine competitive home matches.
In the US national team’s last eight matches, they have averaged 4.4 goals per game. Another interesting statistic is that in all three of their group stage matches, the Americans managed at least ten shots on target.
Folarin Balogun is aiming to become only the third US national team player to score at least three goals at a World Cup. He has scored six goals in his last 11 international matches.
Bosnia national team
Bosnia and Herzegovina go into this match as clear underdogs, having finished only third in Group B, behind Switzerland and Canada. A convincing 3–1 victory over Qatar in the third round barely secured their place in the round of 32, but having conceded a total of six goals, the team is one of the weakest defensively among those remaining in the tournament.
In 11 of Bosnia’s last 20 international matches, both teams have scored. It is also noted that in 12 of Bosnia’s last 13 international matches, the team has had at least three shots on target.
Ermin Mahmić, coming on as a substitute in the group stage, scored two goals in two matches, both after the 80th minute or later.
USA v Bosnia prediction
The American side are the clear favourites for this match. Following a convincing performance in the group stage, the hosts look the stronger side, so the USA are expected to progress, with both teams scoring.
