USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: World Cup Round of 32 preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Fixture: USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Competition: World Cup - Round of 32

• Date: Thursday, 2 July, 2026

• Kick-off: 01:00 BST

• Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, California, USA

Our prediction: USA 2-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina

USA

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Freese / Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson / Adams, McKennie, Tilman / Dest, Balogun, Pulisic

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Our predicted XI (4-4-2): Vasilj / Dedic, Katic, Radeljic, Kolasinac / Bajraktarevic, Basic, Tahirovic, Alajbegovic / Demirovic, Dzeko

To kickstart our bet builder tips for USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, we're backing over 2.5 goals to be scored in the match, with both sets of attackers showing their class in an exciting knockout tie.

USA themselves scored at least two goals in all three of their group matches on their way to topping the section, keeping just one clean sheet in the process, and with Bosnia also finding the net in all three of their World Cup matches so far, it seems likely that we're going to get plenty of goalmouth action here. Of the six games featuring these sides so far, four of them have seen over 2.5 goals scored, so we're expecting front-footed approaches from both nations in an entertaining - if finely balanced - RO32 clash.

As a result, we're tipping at least three goals to be scored in this one, going along with our score prediction of 2-1 to the Americans.

While goalscorers tend to get all the attention, sometimes it's those pulling the strings behind them who make all the difference, and on such a big occasion for the co-hosts, we're tipping talisman Christian Pulisic to grab an assist.

The former Chelsea man has already notched one assist this summer, setting up Folarin Balogun's first in USA's demolition of Paraguay, and having been rested for the most part against Turkey, Captain America comes into this RO32 tie with real purpose. The 27-year-old is creating an average of 3.5 chances per game for his teammates - and more than two big chances per 90 - so whether it's through his remarkable dribbling success, clever through balls, or just routine crosses, Pulisic is always looking to work an opening for his teammates - and we think it'll come good here.

So Christian Pulisic to get an assist is our bold second pick for this World Cup bet builder, as he looks to drag his nation through to the last 16.

Focusing on Bosnia for a moment, we're expecting Sergej Barbarez's side to try to disrupt USA's rhythm at every possible opportunity, and in doing so, we're anticipating plenty of fouls - with Amar Dedic being a standout culprit.

The Benfica full-back has already picked up one yellow card this summer, when a cynical foul against Switzerland drew the referee's attention, and with the 23-year-old committing an average of two fouls per game at the World Cup, we think he could be cautioned again here. Three yellows and two reds in the 2025/26 Liga Portugal season suggests he's no stranger to overstepping the mark, and up against one of the tournament's trickiest customers in Christian Pulisic, Dedic's defensive solidity will be seriously tested - and we think he'll be caught out.

The defender was dribbled past twice a game in Group B, so our experts are predicting another difficult day for Amar Dedic, with the Bosnia man being shown a card.

To bring our USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina match preview to a close, we're backing Mauricio Pochettino's co-hosts to get the job done and progress to the last 16, beating Bosnia at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Despite losing to Turkey last week, USA topped their group with relative ease after winning their opening two, and with a home crowd roaring them on once again, the Stars and Stripes seem primed to continue their World Cup journey. Bosnia may have only lost one game since September 2025, drawing seven in that time, but they only scraped through to the RO32 as one of the best third-placed teams, and haven't been anywhere near their best in North America - which we expect USA to take advantage of.

Ladbrokes is predicting a tight game in California, with chances at both ends, but on home soil, it's USA who our experts are tipping to prevail.

You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina Bet Builder. Plus, with Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet not only with other World Cup matches, but also with different sports.

Check out our full range of World Cup match previews, with our experts providing bet builder tips throughout the tournament.

Check out the latest betting promotions from Ladbrokes to enhance your betting experience.

All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

View the latest World Cup 2026 odds.