USMNT Faces Bosnia in World Cup Round of 32: Iowa Ties Emerge

The United States men's national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup on July 1 in Santa Clara, California. The 8 p.m. matchup pits the host nation against a Bosnian side making just its second World Cup appearance, with Iowa connections adding a local layer to the international contest.

What to Know About Bosnia and Herzegovina's Team

Bosnia and Herzegovina, known as the Dragons (Zmajevi) or the Golden Lillies (Zlatni Ljiljani), advanced through a group stage that included a 1-1 draw with Canada, a 4-1 loss to Switzerland, and a 3-1 win over Qatar. This marks only the second World Cup in the nation's history, following their 2014 debut in Brazil where they were eliminated in the group stage.

The Bosnian fan base has made its presence known across North America during the tournament. Their supporters arrived in Toronto for the opening match against Canada with a mix of gratitude and fierce passion that surprised stadium security and energized the away section.

Iowa Resident Among Passionate Bosnian Fan Base

The tournament has drawn Bosnian fans from across the United States, including Iowa. A man named Mirsad, who was raised in Bosnia and now lives in Iowa, spoke about the team's iconic striker Edin Dzeko during the group stage in Toronto.