USA vs Bosnia Lineups and Starting XI

USA vs Bosnia lineups are confirmed for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. The match was played on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara. Christian Pulisic returned to the U.S. XI, while Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan were unavailable. The selections pointed to U.S. width against Bosnia's back five.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout tie finished 2-0 to the United States. Fans tracking events can use the USA vs Bosnia live score record for scorers and match status. The lineups still explain why the game became a battle of width, pressure, and set pieces. That balance made the first half cautious before Balogun changed the match. Bosnia's shape still kept the contest tense after halftime.

USA Confirmed Lineup

Mauricio Pochettino restored several first-choice players after group-stage rotation. The USA squad used a 3-4-2-1 shape with Matt Freese in goal and Tim Ream as captain.

Formation: 3-4-2-1.

Substitutes: Matt Turner, Chris Brady, Auston Trusty, Gio Reyna, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, Miles Robinson.

Further bench options: Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, Haji Wright, Tim Weah, Joe Scally, and Alex Zendejas.

Pulisic's return gave the United States a direct runner beside Balogun. Dest and Robinson also gave the hosts width against Bosnia's wing backs.

Tillman started in midfield and later scored the second goal. Adams gave the U.S. a ball-winning screen behind the attacking line.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Confirmed Lineup

Sergej Barbarez started Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 5-3-2. The Bosnia and Herzegovina squad paired Edin Dzeko with Ermedin Demirovic up front.

Formation: 5-3-2.

Substitutes: Esmir Bajraktarević, Ivan Bašić, Samed Baždar, Dženis Burnić, Amir Hadžiahmetović, Dennis Hadžikadunić, Marin Jurkas.

Further bench options: Jovo Lukić, Ermin Mahmić, Adrian Malić, Ajdin Memić, Nihad Mujakić, Haris Tabaković, Benjamin Tahirović, Marko Zlomislić.

Bosnia protected central areas with three center backs and two wing backs. Dzeko and Demirovic gave Barbarez a physical front two for direct service.

The midfield three had to screen Tillman and Adams quickly. That task became harder once the United States found more rhythm before halftime.

Team News and Injury Report

Pulisic returned to the U.S. starting lineup after a lower-leg issue in the group stage. McKenzie and Roldan were listed as unavailable by U.S. Soccer.

Bosnia's confirmed XI included Dzeko, Demirovic, Dedic, Kolasinac, and Vasilj. No verified late injury removed a Bosnia starter from the official team sheet.

Latest lineup notes: Pochettino made major changes from the rotated group finale. Barbarez kept Bosnia compact with a back five and two strikers.

USA vs Bosnia Lineups: Key Tactical Battle

The key tactical battle came on the wings. USA used Dest and Robinson to stretch Bosnia's back five and create room for Pulisic.

Bosnia needed Kolašinac and Dedić to defend deep without losing counter-attacking outlets. Dzeko also had to hold clearances long enough for midfield support.

The set-piece picture mattered because the match stayed tense after Balogun's red card. Tillman's late free kick showed why dead-ball roles were central.

Match Details

Frequently Asked Questions

USA vs Bosnia lineups showed a clear tactical contrast between U.S. wing pressure and Bosnia's back-five protection.

The confirmed XIs also explain the game's decisive moments, with Balogun and Tillman turning selection strength into goals.

Read Also: USA vs Bosnia Preview: 2-0 Knockout Win