Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost certain to face the United States in the last 32 of the World Cup after beating Qatar 3-1.Bosnia drew its opening game with Canada 1-1 before responding to being beaten heavily by Switzerland in round two to beat Qatar and likely claim a best third-place spot. The Athletic’s projection model gives them a greater than 99 per cent chance of finishing as one of the eight-best third-placed sides and facing the U.S.Bosnia also had to defy the odds to qualify; comebacks from losing positions, hanging on and outwitting their opponents.As a former professional poker player, head coach Sergej Barbarez understands the significance of strategic discipline and emotional strength. Setbacks are normal, responses are critical. Bosnia trailed in their play-off semi-final in Wales, equalised late, navigated extra time, and won on penalties. It trailed again against four-time world champions Italy in the final, equalised late, navigated extra time, and won on penalties.This resilience, in part, reflects Bosnia’s national identity. It is just three decades since the Bosnian War — an ethnically-rooted conflict between Bosniaks, ethnic Serbs and ethnic Croats, which lasted from 1992 to 1995, with an estimated 100,000 deaths (per the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum) — and its national team did not exist when the U.S. last hosted the World Cup, in 1994.Bosnia has had to fight, literally and diplomatically, to be recognised internationally. World Cup participation is a powerful platform.This is what you need to know about the USMNT’s likely next opponent.Who are Bosnia’s star players?When Edin Dzeko, the Bosnia talisman and captain, was aged eight, his local football pitch in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital, was struck by a missile attack which killed several children. Dzeko, who later turned down citizenship approaches from Czech Republic and Germany, lived through a war which brought independence.