The USMNT knows its first knockout-round opponent. Bosnia and Herzegovina will face the United States on July 1, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in the World Cup’s round of 32. Kickoff is set for roughly 5:00 PM local time.

For context, this is the first World Cup featuring a 48-team format, which means a round of 32 exists for the first time in tournament history.

How both teams got here

The US advanced out of Group D as co-hosts. Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their spot as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F, anchored by a 3-1 victory over Qatar in a must-win match.

For Bosnia, this is rare air. The nation’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014 in Brazil, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Getting to the knockout rounds represents genuinely new territory for their program.

FIFA goes deeper into crypto

FIFA appointed Kraken as its Official Crypto Exchange Supporter in early June 2026. That partnership makes Kraken one of the tournament’s most visible digital asset brands.

Separately, Chiliz, the company behind fan engagement platform Socios.com, has invested between $50 million and $100 million in fan interaction initiatives tied to the tournament.

FIFA has also introduced what it calls Right-to-Tickets, or RTTs. These are digital collectibles built on blockchain technology that offer ticket access.

Prediction markets are having a moment

World Cup-related prediction market trading volume has exceeded $5 billion. That number reflects both the sheer scale of global interest in the tournament and the maturation of prediction markets as a financial product.

For comparison, prediction markets were a niche curiosity during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 2024 US presidential election cycle helped normalize them for a mainstream audience, and now the World Cup is benefiting from that expanded user base.

What this means for investors

Kraken’s FIFA sponsorship gives it brand exposure to billions of viewers globally.

Chiliz and its CHZ token are the most direct play on World Cup fan engagement. The $50 million to $100 million investment suggests Chiliz is treating this tournament as a make-or-break moment for the fan token model.

The $5 billion-plus in prediction market volume signals something broader about where crypto finds product-market fit. Prediction markets and sports betting are natural on-chain use cases because they involve transparent, verifiable outcomes with clear settlement rules.