The U.S. men’s national team now knows its opponent for the Round of 32.
Up next in the World Cup on home soil is Bosnia and Herzegovina, the third-place finishers in Group B.
Read more Turkey stuns USA 3-2 with final kick of World Cup Group D finale
It’s an opponent that was widely known for a while, but needed final confirmation steps from FIFA before becoming official. Japan and Sweden’s 1-1 draw Thursday sealed it.
The game is set for Wednesday, July 1 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Kick-off time is slated for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The U.S. won Group D without kicking a ball. After a 4-1 win vs. Paraguay and a 2-0 victory vs. Australia, the U.S. claimed first place after Turkey lost its two games leading up to the group finale. Turkey then beat the U.S. 3-2 with the last kick of the game.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, a European country bordered alongside Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw to Canada. The Dragons lost 4-1 to Switzerland in the second game, but rebounded with a 3-1 win vs. Qatar to solidify their spot in the Round of 32.
Read more Only one kidney, no problem: Husband and wife share stories of donating kidneys to their siblings
The Dragons, ranked No. 62 by FIFA, made their first World Cup appearance in 2014 but failed to advance past the group.
The U.S. men’s national team made the Round of 16 in Qatar but fell to the Netherlands. The Stars and Stripes’ best finish came in the first ever World Cup in 1930, where it came in third out of 13 teams.
Bosnia is led by veteran defender Sead Kolasinac and 40-year-old striker Edin Dzeko, while winger Kerim Alajbegovic is breaking out alongside Esmir Bajraktarević, who was born in Appleton, Wisconsin.
The U.S. should have enough quality in each phase to get through with a win in front of its home support, but underdogs have been shining throughout the tournament. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will need to balance his team well.
Read more Venezuelans in South Florida say family members are missing after earthquakes