Bosnia-Herzegovina XI vs USA – Predicted lineup and team news

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·1 Juli 2026

Bosnia-Herzegovina XI vs USA – Predicted lineup and team news

Bosnia-Herzegovina face the United States at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the early hours of Thursday morning in the World Cup last 32, targeting the most significant result in the nation’s football history.

Sergej Barbarez’s side reached this stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed qualifiers, winning four points from a group that included Switzerland and Canada. Competing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time as an independent nation, the Dragons face a co-host on home soil — and arrive as clear underdogs, but with a squad containing enough Premier League and European experience to make this uncomfortable for the USA.

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Bosnia-Herzegovina team news

Barbarez receives a significant boost with the return of Tarik Muharemovic. The 23-year-old Sassuolo centre-back was suspended for the Qatar match after his red card against Switzerland, but serves his ban and is available here. His return restores Bosnia’s defensive backbone and gives Barbarez the experienced central pairing he needs against Balogun’s movement.

Amar Dedic is a doubt with a thigh problem. The Benfica right-back returned to training but has not been passed fully fit, and Amar Memic is expected to cover the position should Dedic not make it. No other injury concerns have been reported across the squad.

Edin Džeko captains the side at 40 years old, the veteran forward carrying 150 caps and 73 international goals into this knockout fixture. He was an unused substitute in the Canada opener before starting against Switzerland and Qatar, and leads Bosnia’s attack alongside Ermedin Demirović. Kerim Alajbegović operates from the right wing, having become one of the World Cup’s youngest scorers against Qatar.

Esmir Bajraktarević — born in Wisconsin but representing his parents’ homeland — provides pace and directness on the left. Bosnia’s set-piece record has been their defining weapon.

Three goals from corners in the group stage represent the most at a single World Cup since England scored four in 2018. Ivan Šunjić and Amer Bašić provide the midfield engine, with Sead Kolašinac a physical presence at left back. Nikola Vasilj continues in goal.

Bosnia-Herzegovina predicted lineup

Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting XI (4-4-2): Vasilj; Memic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko