Ten-man United States reach World Cup round of 16 after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0
Folarin Balogun scored before being sent off and Malik Tillman added a stunning free kick as the co-hosts, playing on home soil at Santa Clara, overcame a man disadvantage to advance to their first World Cup knockout stage second round since 2002, where they face Belgium on 6 July in Seattle.
The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 on Wednesday at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara to advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the co-hosts' first appearance in the tournament's second knockout round since 2002.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring just before half-time, converting at close range after a loose clearance by Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj fell to Malik Tillman, whose through ball found the American striker. The goal was Balogun's third of the tournament, drawing level with Landon Donovan as the second-highest scorer for the United States men's national team in a single World Cup, according to US Soccer.
The match turned sharply in the 64th minute when, after a VAR review, Balogun was shown a straight red card for a challenge on a Bosnian player, leaving the United States with ten men for the final 26 minutes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina pressed for an equaliser but could not breach Matt Freese, who recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament. In the 82nd minute, Tillman settled the outcome, catching Vasilj off his line with a knuckleball free kick that curled inside the post to make it 2–0.
A historic group stage, now a landmark night
The win extended a record-breaking run for the hosts. The United States had finished top of Group D with six points and eight goals — the most points and most goals the programme has ever scored in the group stage of a World Cup, according to US Soccer. Victories over Paraguay (4–1) and Australia (2–0) had already secured first place with a game to spare.
Wednesday's result was the team's third win of the tournament and, more significantly, its first in a knockout match since 2002, when the United States reached the quarter-finals in South Korea and Japan under Bruce Arena. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has now recorded the most World Cup wins of any United States head coach.
Belgium next in Seattle
The United States will face Belgium in the round of 16 on 6 July at Lumen Field in Seattle. Belgium qualified after a dramatic 3–2 extra-time comeback against Senegal on 1 July, having trailed 2–0 with five minutes of normal time remaining.
Balogun will serve an automatic one-match suspension for the red card and will miss the Belgium tie. Tillman's match-winning free kick, meanwhile, marked his first goal at a World Cup.
The round of 16 runs from 4 to 7 July.