Win or go home: The U.S. to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout game

Win or go home: The U.S. to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout game July 1, 20261:00 AM ET Becky Sullivan The U.S. men's national team has had an impressive start to this World Cup — winning its group and getting an advantageous path in the knockout round. That round begins Wednesday with a Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, Calif. Manu Fernandez/AP hide caption toggle caption Manu Fernandez/AP SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The U.S. men's national team's ambitions of a deep run at the FIFA World Cup hang on something they have not accomplished since 2021: Beat a team from Europe. Soccer Edition How coach Mauricio Pochettino made believers out of the U.S. World Cup team In Wednesday's must-win Round of 32 match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the Americans hope to finally climb that hill with a win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. A victory would mark the first World Cup knockout win for the U.S. since 2002. Compared to powerhouses like France or Spain, Bosnia is a relative minnow of European soccer. Ranked No. 64 by FIFA ahead of the World Cup, the Bosnians fought their way into the tournament on an upset playoff win over Italy in March — then, they muscled into the knockout round after a 1-1 draw with Canada and a 3-1 win over Qatar. Sponsor Message The Americans are the favorites. But no knockout game is a sure thing, as Germany proved Monday when it fell to Paraguay on penalty kicks. "For us, it's the final of the World Cup," said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday. "If we don't think in this way, we are going to struggle." The U.S. expects to field a fully healthy starting 11 for the first time in this World Cup, thanks to the return of star winger Christian Pulisic, who left the opening game against Paraguay at halftime after a calf injury was exacerbated when he was kicked by a defender. The U.S. went on to win that game 4-1 and their next one against Australia 2-0, with Pulisic sitting out. Pulisic returned as a sub i...