World Cup 2026: USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Predictions

USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Overview and Latest Odds

According to the latest World Cup odds, the USA is the favorite to triumph in its first knockout game of the tournament, but it would be a mistake for anyone to underestimate Bosnia & Herzegovina.

• Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA

• Date & Time: Wednesday 1st July, 8:00 PM ET

• US Broadcast: FOX Sports

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Expert Betting Predictions and Best Bets for USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Below are our three top tips for USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, including two straight bets and one same game parlay.

• USA to Score First

The USA was quick out of the blocks in each of its three group games. It broke the deadlock against Paraguay in the seventh minute, opened the scoring against Australia after 11 minutes, and went 1-0 up against Turkey in the third minute. It will like its chances of scoring the first goal for the fourth successive game against Bosnia & Herzegovina. The USA’s opponent will sit back and pack players behind the ball, trying to keep the score at 0-0 for as long as possible. The USA’s more offensive approach will be rewarded with the first goal.

• USA/USA Half-time/Full-time

It is still relatively early days at this World Cup, but the early signs suggest the USA has peaked at the right moment. Results and performances over the last two years have been patchy, but the team was genuinely excellent in the victories over Paraguay and Australia. Mauricio Pochettino has created a team in his image, one which plays with energy, urgency and intensity in and out of possession. As mentioned above, the USA has started matches strongly at this World Cup, and it is likely to be ahead after both 45 and 90 minutes.

• USA to Win and Christian Pulisic to Score Anytime 

No opponent should be underestimated in a low-scoring activity like soccer, where underdogs win more often than in other sports. But if the USA plays to its potential in the round of 32, it will almost certainly have too much firepower for Bosnia & Herzegovina, whose only victory in the group stage came against a poor Qatar side. Elsewhere, Christian Pulisic is the best value pick in the anytime goalscorer market. The USA’s talisman has recovered from a calf injury and he will be desperate to score his first goal of the competition.

USA Betting Preview

It will not matter if it is eliminated in the round of 32, but the USA had a terrific group stage. It may have only finished on six points after losing its last game 3-2 to Turkey, but that came after Mauricio Pochettino named a second-choice side because the USA had already wrapped up top spot in Group D.

The USA delivered perhaps its best performance of the Pochettino era on matchday one, blitzing a competent Paraguay team 4-1. Gustavo Alfaro’s side subsequently kept clean sheets against both Turkey and Australia, yet it had no answer for the American offense. The 2-0 triumph over Australia was not quite as eye-catching, but the USA deserved all three points in its second outing of the summer as well.

Now comes the real test of the knockout stage. The good news for the USA is that Christian Pulisic is expected to be in the starting XI after recovering from a calf injury. The AC Milan forward will add guile, skill and imagination to the frontline. The USA will look to play at a quick tempo to overwhelm Bosnia & Herzegovina, pressing high up the pitch and circulating the ball at speed.

Bosnia & Herzegovina Betting Preview

Bosnia & Herzegovina is through to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time in its history as an independent soccer nation. It debuted in 2014 and won one of three group games, but that was not enough to go through. This time around, a 1-1 tie with Canada and 3-1 victory over Qatar sent the team to the round of 32, despite a heavy 4-1 loss to Switzerland on matchday two.

Bosnia & Herzegovina did well to even qualify for the World Cup. Few gave it a chance against Italy in one of the play-off finals in Europe, but Bosnia drew 1-1 with the four-time champion and then won the penalty shoot-out. Having beaten Italy in unlikely circumstances, it will not fear the USA.

Bosnia & Herzegovina is also in pretty good form, at least in terms of being hard to beat. That aforementioned defeat by Switzerland was the only time it has lost in 11 matches. Going back further, a record of three defeats in 18 games is a record that much bigger soccer nations would be pleased with.

How USA and Bosnia & Herzegovina Match Up Against Each Other

Bosnia & Herzegovina showed its character and resolve in its tie with Canada on matchday one. In front of 43,000 fans in Toronto, it silenced the majority of the crowd by scoring the opening goal in the first half, and although Bosnia & Herzegovina could not quite hold on for maximum points, it still avoided defeat.

Nevertheless, playing this match in Santa Clara gives the USA a huge advantage. Virtually the entire crowd will be behind the USA, and it will feed off that energy with its dynamic, high-tempo style of play. Bosnia & Herzegovina will defend with discipline and diligence, but it will be difficult to keep the USA out for the full 90 minutes. 

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s best chance of causing an upset is to nick a goal from a set-piece and defend for its life thereafter. But the USA is in a good place and it is poised to march on to the round of 16.