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The United States Men’s National Team’s path to a World Cup title just became a little clearer.
According to The Athletic, there is now a more than 99% chance that the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 next week after the latter’s 3-1 victory over Qatar on Wednesday.
After winning Group D last week, the United States would face the third-placed team from another group: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s victory secured third place in Group B and therefore an all-but confirmed date with the Stars and Stripes.
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Folarin Balogun of the USA celebrates scoring the second goal with his teammates in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup Group D match against Paraguay. (Gary Vásquez/Imagn Images)
The outlet notes that two other countries, Senegal and Austria, each have less than 1% chance of facing the United States to begin the knockout phase.
A draw would have opened up many other possibilities, but instead the United States could have gotten the best-case scenario. Bosnia and Herzegovina is ranked 62nd in the FIFA rankings, while the United States is ranked 14th. Meanwhile, Qatar was eliminated with the defeat.
Before getting there, however, the United States needs to face Türkiye to complete the group. However, since the United States already won the group and Türkiye is already eliminated, the game is nothing more than a practice session.
Christian Pulisic of the United States celebrates with his teammates his first goal, an own goal by Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Kiyoshi Mio/Image Images)
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At the risk of an evil eye, the calendar is working out pretty well for Americans. If the United States advances to the round of 16, they would face the winner of Group G or another team that finishes in third place. Of all the potential opponents in that round, only Belgium, which currently needs a win and help to win Group G, is ranked ahead of the United States, and hardly: Belgium is ranked 10th in the world.
The United States is one of the hottest teams in this World Cup, having scored six goals in two games. It’s already tied for its most in the group stage, even with one game left.
The Americans opened the World Cup with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and followed up with a 2-0 victory over Australia to secure their trip to the round of 32. The American team won the group when Paraguay defeated Türkiye that same night.
Team USA celebrates a goal against Paraguay in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Images by Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn)
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The victories marked the first time the US men’s national team had won consecutive World Cup matches since the inaugural event in 1930.
The game against Türkiye begins at 10 pm ET on Thursday, and the matchup against, in all likelihood, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be next Wednesday in the Bay Area.
