The USMNT is going with its strongest available squad for the biggest game on American soil in a generation. Coach Mauricio Pochettino has named his starting eleven for the Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it reads like a statement of intent: Christian Pulisic is back, Tyler Adams is anchoring the midfield, and the backline that carried the team through the group stage is intact.

The match takes place July 1, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It marks the first time the USMNT has played a World Cup knockout game on home turf.

The lineup, broken down

Matt Freese gets the nod in goal. The back five features Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Sergiño Dest, and Antonee Robinson. In midfield, Pochettino has gone with Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, and Weston McKennie. Up front, it’s Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. Pulisic captains the side, returning from a calf injury that kept him out of action.

Why Pulisic’s return matters

Pulisic was rested during the previous group match against Türkiye, along with four other players who were sitting on yellow cards. A second booking in the group stage would have meant suspension for the knockout round, so Pochettino made the pragmatic call to keep his key men out of harm’s way.

On the injury front, Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan are the only absentees, both ruled out due to injuries.

Context: the road to the Round of 32

The USMNT earned their spot in the knockout stage through a group campaign that included a key victory over Paraguay. Bosnia and Herzegovina sit lower than the US in FIFA’s world rankings.

Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea before taking the USMNT job, rested five starters against Türkiye to have them available for this match.