The United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday, marking the first competitive meeting between the two nations. The fixture represents uncharted territory for both sides, who have only previously contested friendlies. Their most recent encounter in December 2021 involved just three members of the current United States squad and only one player from Bosnia’s current 26-man selection.
The introduction of the round of 32 means the tournament has not yet narrowed to the traditional last 16, potentially reducing the immediate tension associated with sudden-death football. Captain Tim Ream insists the squad is feeling remarkably relaxed ahead of the knockout tie, contrasting the mood with the tension that surrounded their 2022 campaign. He admitted he does “not really feel too much pressure” at present, explaining that the group placed greater internal expectation upon themselves during the opening match against Paraguay than they currently carry.
Historical struggles against European sides
Despite the calm demeanour, the United States carry a concerning record against UEFA opposition into the match. The Americans have not beaten a European side since defeating Northern Ireland in March 2021, a run spanning 13 matches without victory. They have lost their last ten encounters against European teams, including a dead-rubber defeat to Turkey that concluded the group phase.
Ream acknowledged that Bosnia may spring surprises despite their defensive reputation. He stated they cannot assume Bosnia will simply sit back, noting that the group must “expect the unexpected” after learning from their experiences against Australia. The defender highlighted similarities between Bosnia’s potential approach and that of Paraguay, but stressed the players must solve tactical problems during the match itself.
Bosnia’s wide threat
Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced despite registering the third-fewest passes into opponents’ boxes among teams reaching the knockout stage during the group phase. Their threat primarily originates from wide positions, where the youthful duo of Esmir Bajraktarević of PSV and Kerim Alajbegović of Bayer Leverkusen provide dynamism and delivery towards veteran striker Edin Džeko.
Gio Reyna, who returned to action with a 76-minute appearance against Turkey, offered a reminder of the unpredictable nature of knockout football. “With knockout rounds, anything can happen,” he stated. “This team really does well with challenges.” The Borussia Dortmund midfielder had not featured for as long since December 2024 and displayed signs of rust, struggling to locate passing options in advanced positions. His frustration was evident at the end of the first half against Turkey.
The winner will advance to face either Paraguay or Northern Ireland in the next round.