The U.S. men’s national team enters the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup with strong momentum. They topped their group and secured a favorable position in the Round of 32. The match takes place on Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California.

The team aims to achieve a victory over a European side, a feat last accomplished in 2021. This match at Levi’s Stadium is crucial, as it offers a chance for the U.S. to capture their first World Cup knockout win since 2002.

While Bosnia stands as an underdog against teams like France or Spain, they have demonstrated resilience. Ranked 64th by FIFA, Bosnia earned their spot by beating Italy and advancing past the group stage with a draw against Canada and a win over Qatar.

Despite being favorites, the U.S. understands the unpredictability of knockout games. Recent upsets, like Germany’s loss to Paraguay, highlight this. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the match’s importance, comparing it to a World Cup final for the team.

The U.S. benefits from the return of key player Christian Pulisic. After a calf injury in the first match, Pulisic was absent for their victories against Paraguay and Australia. He made a comeback as a substitute in the match against Turkey and expressed his readiness for the upcoming game.

Bosnia will feature Esmir Bajraktarević, an American-born player with strong ties to Bosnia. His family fled conflict in the 1990s, and despite his U.S. upbringing, Bajraktarević chose to represent Bosnia. His crucial penalty against Italy secured Bosnia’s World Cup qualification.

This is Bosnia’s second World Cup appearance, following their group stage exit in 2014. U.S. fans remain hopeful, buoyed by the team’s strong showing so far.