World Cup 2026: USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

The co-hosts USA take on Bosnia-Herzegovina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Thursday, with kickoff at 02:00 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. The USA won Group D and rested several key men in their dead rubber defeat to Turkey, so a stronger eleven returns here, while Bosnia-Herzegovina reached the knockouts for the first time as one of the best third placed sides. Home advantage and a fresh first choice line up make the hosts strong favourites. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

USA

The USA topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia before a much-changed side lost a dead rubber to Turkey, a result I am happy to look past. Crucially Mauricio Pochettino rested Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson on yellow cards in that final group game, so all four return fresh and available here. Balogun has been the standout with a brace against Paraguay, and with Christian Pulisic recovered from a calf problem the hosts look dangerous. In my opinion the USA will press high and use the home crowd to put Bosnia under early pressure.

Predicted Lineup: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Dest, Balogun, Pulisic.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina are into the knockouts for the first time after a 3-1 win over Qatar, having earlier beaten Italy and Wales on penalties just to reach the finals. From my point of view they are a resilient, physical side built around the evergreen 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko and the in form Ermedin Demirovic up front. They will sit in a deep 4-4-2, defend their box and look to Dzeko as a target man, with set pieces their most likely route to a goal. With no major injury or suspension issues reported, I expect them to frustrate the USA and make this far from comfortable.

Predicted Lineup: Vasilj; Radeljic, Katic, Malic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko.

With their first choice eleven restored and the home crowd behind them, I expect the USA to control this from the front foot. Bosnia-Herzegovina will defend deep and rely on Dzeko, but I think the hosts have the energy and quality to break them down. A controlled USA win without conceding is my expectation as they reach the last 16. My forecast: USA 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0.

BTTS: No (1.67)

I am backing both teams not to score and my read on this is that the USA can keep a clean sheet against a limited Bosnia attack. With Richards and Robinson back to firm up the back line, the hosts have the defenders to handle Dzeko, and Bosnia struggle to create much in the way of offensive opportunities. I expect the USA to score and to keep the visitors out.