Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group B – Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. – June 24, 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sead Kolasinac, Arjan Malic, Amar Dedic, Dzenis Burnic and Ermin Mahmic celebrate after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Blake Dahlin
The United States men’s national team (USMNT) is all but certain to meet a Bosnia and Herzegovina side in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup that feels as though it is playing with house money after almost certainly clinching a place in the knockout stages with a 3-1 victory over Qatar on Wednesday.
“All I can tell you is that all of this is a bonus for us,” Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez said. “We will be extremely relieved, and we will try to take on any team that comes our way. We will try to create problems and win the game. That’s our goal. We are confident enough to do that and to face anyone and be more aggressive. I’m looking forward to every game. I’m so happy to be here for an additional seven days in the US.”
This is the first time Bosnia will appear in the knockout stage of a World Cup, in what is just its second appearance in the competition. It failed to escape the group stage in Brazil 2014, but has benefited from the expanded field of 48 teams, which allows the eight best third-place finishers to advance.
Bosnia drew Canada in its opening match, then was thrashed 4-1 by eventual Group B winners Switzerland before Wednesday night’s finale provided a second-ever World Cup victory.
“It means a lot. It’s a historical moment for us to go into the next stage,” goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj said. “It’s never happened before. I think we’ve made history… I’m really proud. It’s a big moment for all of us: our country, our people. Let’s see now what comes next.”
This is shaping up to be one heck of a Cinderella story. Barbarez’s men had to navigate UEFA’s play-offs in March to book a place at the World Cup, and did so by upsetting four-time winners Italy in a penalty shootout.
What is expected to be a loose Bosnian team will serve as a stark contrast to the Americans, who are carrying the weight of a host nation on their shoulders and the looming expectations of a deep run. Getting upset by the Eastern European nation would be seen as a historic failure, though Bosnia defender Stjepan Radelijic might have provided plenty of bulletin-board material.
“This is a serious team with serious players,” he told local media (h/t index.hr). “Now we will rest and prepare well for what is to come. There is certainly nothing sweeter than knocking the host out of the championship.”
The two sides will meet on July 1 in Santa Clara, CA, at 8 p.m. ET.
For more on the World Cup like this Bosnia update, visit AMNY.com
