US vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Predicted Starting Lineups: Starting 11 For Round of 32 Match

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues as the United States takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Round of 32 matchup with a place in the Round of 16 on the line.

The USMNT enters the knockout rounds with the electric energy of a home crowd behind them, built around an athletic midfield, experienced defenders, and a frontline with pace and creativity. Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, will look to make history on the international stage with a disciplined and dangerous knockout-round performance.

Led by stars such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Edin Dzeko, and Ermedin Demirovic, this matchup features two well-organized teams with plenty of individual quality. The USA will look to control the midfield battle and create chances through Pulisic and McKennie, while Bosnia will rely on defensive structure, the veteran presence of Dzeko, and attacking creativity in transition.

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US Projected Starting Lineup

The USA is expected to field a balanced lineup built around defensive organization, a dynamic midfield, and an attacking unit with pace and technical quality.

Matt Freese starts in goal behind a back four of Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson. Ream provides leadership and composure in central defense, while Freeman and Robinson offer athleticism and width from the full-back positions.

In midfield, Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman are expected to provide defensive cover and control from deeper areas. Adams brings elite ball-winning intensity and leadership, while Tillman adds energy and forward-thinking passing alongside him. Ahead of them, Weston McKennie operates as the box-to-box driving force of America’s midfield, connecting defense and attack with his movement and physicality.

Leading the attack are Sergino Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun. Pulisic remains the USMNT’s most dangerous and influential attacking threat, while Dest offers pace and creativity from the right and Balogun provides a clinical finishing presence through the middle.

• GK: Matt Freese
• RB: Alex Freeman
• CB: Tim Ream
• CB: Chris Richards
• LB: Antonee Robinson
• CDM: Tyler Adams
• CDM: Malik Tillman
• AMR: Sergino Dest
• CAM: Weston McKennie
• AML: Christian Pulisic
• ST: Folarin Balogun

Bosnia and Herzegovina Predicted Starting Lineup

Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to line up with a physically imposing and well-drilled squad capable of frustrating the USA and creating chances in transition.

Nikola Vasilj starts in goal behind a back four featuring Amar Memic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, and Sead Kolasinac. Kolasinac remains one of Bosnia’s most important players because of his experience, physicality, and ability to drive forward from left back.

In midfield, Ivan Basic and Ivan Sunjic are expected to provide defensive cover and ball progression from central areas. Sunjic brings composure and defensive discipline, while Basic adds energy and creativity alongside him. Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic offer width and attacking intent from the right and left midfield positions respectively, giving Bosnia outlets down both flanks.

Ermedin Demirovic and Edin Dzeko are expected to lead the attack, with Dzeko’s iconic experience and hold-up play complemented by Demirovic’s movement, energy, and eye for goal as Bosnia looks to challenge the American defense.

• GK: Nikola Vasilj
• RB: Amar Memic
• CB: Nikola Katic
• CB: Tarik Muharemovic
• LB: Sead Kolasinac
• MR: Esmir Bajraktarevic
• CM: Ivan Basic
• CM: Ivan Sunjic
• ML: Kerim Alajbegovic
• ST: Ermedin Demirovic
• ST: Edin Dzeko

Team News & Key Absences

The USMNT enters the Round of 32 with a strong core available. Ream and Richards remain solid at the back, while Pulisic, Adams, and McKennie give the USA quality across all three lines.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also arrive with several key players expected to feature. Katic and Muharemovic provide composure and organization in defense, while Dzeko, Demirovic, and Kolasinac will be relied upon to provide physicality and create attacking opportunities.

Both teams are expected to have the majority of their preferred starters available for this knockout-stage clash.

Match Outlook & Resources

The USMNT enters the matchup as a slight favorite thanks to home advantage, midfield energy, and attacking creativity. If Adams and Tillman are able to control the tempo, the USA should have ample opportunities to create chances through Pulisic, Dest, and Balogun.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have the physicality and veteran savvy to make this a highly competitive match. With Dzeko leading the line with experience and hold-up play, Demirovic providing a constant running threat, and Kolasinac pushing forward from left back, Bosnia has enough quality to frustrate the USA and punish any defensive errors.

With a place in the Round of 16 at stake, expect a raucous atmosphere and a fiercely competitive knockout-round matchup as the host nation looks to advance deep into the tournament.

AP Images/Ted S. Warren