Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by NCS Sports, our every day publication on all issues World Cup. To subscribe, click here.
Here we go, then. The biggest match for the USA on this event to date. Win, and the unimaginable dream lives on. Lose, and a nation comes crashing again down to actuality.
The gamers have been in a position to sit again and watch a host of dramatic games within the Round of 32 already and yesterday was no exception. Erling Haaland left it late to encourage Norway to the final 16, whereas Mexico and France each continued their good campaigns to date.
Now, it’s the flip of six new groups hoping to be on the correct facet of those ruthless knockout video games. Mauricio Pochettino’s males will likely be carrying the load of expectation on their shoulders and dropping can’t be an possibility.
Buckle up!
The Main Thing: How the World Cup has modified expectations round US males’s soccer
By NCS’s Kyle Feldscher
In another World Cup, the United States advancing to the knockout phases is a stable accomplishment and an early exit within the enterprise finish of the event is disappointing however anticipated.
In this 2026 version of the event, expectations couldn’t be extra totally different.
The US takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium within the Bay Area, searching for the nation’s first win within the knockout rounds of the lads’s World Cup since 2002. The Stars and Stripes are closely favored in opposition to the Bosnians, however – as outcomes have already proven on this knockout spherical – that counts for little as soon as the ball is kicked.
American followers had been brought back to Earth a bit after a humbling loss to Turkey, with the group conceding a winner with the final kick of the ultimate recreation of the group stage. But hopes stay sky excessive for a nation that’s used to success on the worldwide sporting stage, although not in males’s soccer.
There are causes to be optimistic. For the first time since the opening half of their opening recreation in opposition to Paraguay final month, the US is predicted to be at full energy as Christian Pulisic appears to be like to return to the beginning XI. Manager Mauricio Pochettino made 9 modifications to the lineup for the Turkey match to relaxation his starters and hold key gamers out of yellow card hassle, and they need to all be again for the knockouts.
But there are additionally causes for concern. Bosnia and Herzegovina held sturdy in opposition to Canada in its opening recreation of the event, irritating Les Rouges’ assault and surprising them with a gap purpose. The Zmajevi had been blown away by the Swiss of their second match of the event, however confirmed attacking aptitude and prowess in opposition to Qatar within the closing group stage match.
Bosnia can defend, that’s for positive, and has sufficient energy going ahead to stun the US with a counterattack purpose, one thing the leaky American protection is inclined to giving up as seen within the closing minutes in opposition to Turkey. The Turks had been the first group to really ask questions of the USA’s backline within the event and pushed three objectives previous backup keeper Matt Turner, a quantity that ought to be a warning signal.
Given the expanded knockout rounds and the good thing about being a co-host of this event, the USA is true to be hopeful of getting again to the Round of 16, the stage during which they went out in 2010, 2014 and 2022. But it’s an indication of how a lot has modified round American soccer – and the extent to which the USA has embraced the 2026 World Cup – that defeat in opposition to the Bosnians wouldn’t simply be a disappointment this time round, it could be a catastrophe.
England vs. DR Congo
When? Noon ET
Where? Atlanta Stadium (Mercedez-Benz Stadium), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
A fast look at this tie and also you’d count on England to be the heavy favourite. After all, the Three Lions boast a number of the greatest gamers on the planet who play for the highest groups on the planet. Only, I don’t assume it is going to be that easy.
England stumbled via its closing two group video games after impressing in its first match in opposition to Croatia. Notably, it’s actually struggled to break groups down who deploy a low block (a defensive tactic whereby a group sits again and tries to absorb all of the stress). It couldn’t discover a well beyond Ghana and had to depend on two late objectives to finally rating in opposition to Panama.
DR Congo is the form of group England may wrestle in opposition to. Les Léopards are dedicated defensively and have proven the power to catch groups on the counterattack – their greatest results of the group stage was arguably a 1-1 draw in opposition to Portugal, even with Saturday’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
An early England purpose may pressure this recreation to be a bit of extra expansive however, if not, we may very well be in for a battle of attrition.
The winner faces Mexico in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
By NCS’s Emile Nuh
When? 4 p.m. ET
Where? Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), Seattle, Washington, USA
Both nations have had considerably comparable journeys on this event: stuttered begins adopted by very important wins to shut the group.
Belgium made robust work of a comparatively weak Group G and appeared lackluster in successive attracts in opposition to Egypt and Iran. The Red Devils then thrashed New Zealand 5-1 of their closing group recreation to end prime on purpose distinction however have nonetheless failed to impress.
Senegal had a good worse begin than Belgium and appeared to be on the point of being knocked out after successive defeats. However, these losses got here in opposition to event favourite France and Erling Haaland’s Norway, who’ve each already booked their place within the spherical of 16.
The Lions of Teranga then crept via to the knockout rounds on purpose distinction because the eighth greatest third-place finisher after thumping 10-man Iraq 5-0 in Toronto – they wanted virtually all of these objectives.
As a end result, Belgium will probably be favored and nonetheless boasts matchwinners like Kevin De Bruyne and all-time main goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, however the group have to be at its greatest to overcome a tenacious Senegal.
The winner will return to Seattle to face off in opposition to the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday evening.
I’ll allow you to in on a bit of secret. I wrote yesterday’s publication from the grounds of Wimbledon earlier than watching Serena Williams’ fantastic return to the grass court docket main (Editor’s observe: It really was fantastic witnessing).
Spending time on the All England Lawn Tennis Club allowed me to get shut to the world’s greatest tennis gamers who, whereas specializing in their very own sport, have allowed themselves to solid an eye fixed over what’s taking place in North America.
Today’s quote comes from American tennis star Taylor Fritz, who gained his first-round match in straight units yesterday. Despite the time distinction between Europe and the US proving a stumbling block at occasions, the world No. 7 says he’s nonetheless watching loads of the event and plans to watch the USA-Bosnia recreation at this time.
“I’m a big fan,” he stated.
Ardeshir and his nine-year-old visually impaired son Alireza have gone viral due to how they expertise soccer video games. Using a cardboard map of a pitch and his finger, Ardeshir helps his son visualize what’s happening.
Iranian dad helps blind son really feel the World Cup
Ardeshir and his nine-year-old visually impaired son Alireza have gone viral due to how Ardeshir helps him expertise soccer video games. Using a cardboard map of a soccer discipline and his finger, he helps his son visualize what’s happening.
I admire that’s one hell of a headline, so let me unpack it for you.
Although not the most important star on the USA roster, defender Antonee Robinson is without doubt one of the greatest and most constant performers on the squad.
With his wealth of Premier League expertise – Robinson now performs for Fulham – the 28-year-old has helped enhance the general commonplace of the group and has been good throughout this World Cup. But there’s extra to the marauding left-back than meets the attention.
First, Robinson was born and raised in England – you possibly can inform that from his accent alone. But the teen has a powerful reference to the US and is eligible to play for the Americans as a result of his father was introduced up in New York.
Robinson’s dad has been an enormous affect on his profession and was his youth group coach earlier than the skilled golf equipment got here calling. His dad would permit the children in his group to choose nicknames for themselves and, being a giant lover of Star Wars on the time, Robinson picked “Jedi.” It’s a choice that’s caught with him all through his life and is now used interchangeably together with his delivery title by teammates.
But away from soccer is the place the surprises hold coming. I’ve seen movies of Robinson finishing a Rubik’s Cube in below a minute and clips of the defender taking part in piano to a good degree.
Watch out for him at this time. He’s a participant for the massive event and has an awesome eye for purpose. He may effectively show to be the distinction.
USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
When? 8 p.m. ET
Where? San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium), Santa Clara, California, USA
Of all of the opponents that the USA may have been pitted in opposition to after progressing into the knockout phases, Bosnia definitely isn’t the worst.
That’s not to say it is going to be a simple match – as a result of it undoubtedly gained’t be – but it surely’s a group the co-host can undoubtedly beat. Of all of the squads left within the competitors, Bosnia has the bottom xG (anticipated objectives), which principally means it struggles to create many clear-cut probabilities.
The huge factor to be cautious of is about items, although. Bosnia has appeared threatening from corners and has sufficient aerial energy to fear the USA. If issues are tight within the closing phases, Bosnia can even name on veteran striker Edin Džeko. The 40-year-old has performed on the highest degree in Europe and, regardless of missing the health he as soon as had, can nonetheless provide you with an necessary purpose when wanted.
But the USA has the higher squad and can look to depend on its attacking gamers to slay the Zmajevi (“Dragons”).
We’ve been speaking the USA up lots on this article so, for the sake of stability, let’s hear from the Bosnian perspective.
Over the years, NCS Sports anchor Don Riddell has amassed an eclectic mixture of contacts and he’s come up huge time (and barely out of left discipline) with this one. Over to him.
I noticed USA followers cheering Bosnia and Herzegovina’s win in opposition to Qatar within the closing spherical of group video games as a result of the end result put the 2 groups on a collision course for the Round of 32 they usually assume Bosnia will likely be straightforward meat. Bosnia’s supporters have a response – you underestimate a group nicknamed “The Dragons” (“Zmajevi”) at your peril.
Mirza Nikolajev is a Bosnian Olympic luger who just lately starred within the award-winning documentary, “The Track.” He advised me the temper in his hometown of Sarajevo is buoyant. The comeback draw in opposition to Canada, the massive win over Qatar and even the blowout defeat to Switzerland had been all celebrated by followers parading on the street, launching fireworks and honking automobiles with flags draped throughout the hoods.
He says a rustic that also experiences post-war rising pains now feels extra patriotic and unified. “I feel like, since the World Cup has started, everybody has had an uplift, they just seem a bit more happy,” he stated.
“I am feeling very anxious for the game, like just anticipating it, you know? I just can’t wait to watch it.”
He concedes that the USA has been taking part in effectively, however paraphrases Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović by saying: “If they mess with the dragon, you’re gonna get lit on fire.”
Given the nation’s first ever World Cup knockout recreation gained’t kick off till 2 a.m. native in Sarajevo, Nikolajev says he’ll be watching from dwelling. The Dragons could effectively incinerate the Red, White and Blue, however he’s nonetheless received to work within the morning.