See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER and DANIEL MATTHEWS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STADIUM Updated: 00:29 BST, 2 July 2026
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog as the United States take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 of the World Cup at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.Warm-ups are underway!The players are out on the field. The final preparations are being made. The time for talking is, very nearly, over.'Bosnia fans in full voice'By Daniel Matthews At The San Francisco Bay Area Stadium This place is barely half full with 45 minutes still to go until kickoff. But there is already a large contingent of Bosnia and Herzegovina fans who are in place and in full voice. They have turned one half of one end blue and yellow and they will do their place to ensure American fans don't make all the noise.The remarkable story of how billionaires bankrolled Pochettino's USA contractBy James CohenNeed some pre-match reading? We've got you covered. Daily Mail Sport's own Daniel Matthews - who is in Santa Clara tonight - has lifted the lid on how Mauricio Pochettino wound up as the USA coach. It's a story that not many would believe. To read the full story, click below.Lady Liberty hits Santa ClaraBy James CohenIf there's one thing we can say about this World Cup, its that the outfits fans have produced have been nothing short of exceptional. There's been some tremendous costumes and designs on show throughout the tournament - and that's continued again tonight. Just take a look at some of these USA fans!What's at stake tonight...By James CohenFor the United States, tonight represents something profound. A win would be only the second World Cup knockout victory in their history - and it would set up a Round of 16 tie against Belgium.Pochettino has spoken all week about the responsibility of being co-hosts, about what these fans deserve, about what this generation of players has been built for. This is the moment. For Bosnia, it is simpler - they are already in uncharted territory. They have never reached the last 16. Every minute in Santa Clara tonight is history. Sergej Barbarez told his players before the tournament: no one believed in you. Prove them wrong again. It's the news that USMNT fans were hoping for; Pulisic starts. The national team captain has been limited to a supporting role throughout the World Cup thus far - but tonight everything changes. The AC Milan star will get the opportunity to lead his team from the opening whistle. That's a huge boost for Pochettino's men. The players are in the buildingWe're just over an hour from kickoff and we have official arrivals. Both sets of players were seen making their way off team buses and heading into the stadium, looking laser-focused as they went. Despite the warm weather conditions in the area, the players emerged in full USMNT tracksuits. Feeling the heat? Doesn't look like it.Breaking:Line-ups confirmedUSMNT Starting XI: Freese; Richards, Ream, Freeman; Dest, Adams, Robinson; Pulisic, McKennie, Tillman; BalogunBosnia and Herzegovina Starting XI: Vasilj; Dedić, Radeljić, Katić, Muharemović, Kolašinac; Gigiović, Šunjić; Alajbegović, Demirović, DžekoThe stage is setLevi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is ready - and it looks a little different tonight. That's because it's the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, right now.FIFA rules prohibit commercial branding at World Cup venues, which means the Levi’s logo that adorns the home of the San Francisco 49ers has been covered up for the duration of the tournament. The noise is already building outside. By kick-off, this place will be rocking.'Captain America' back in actionAfter a massive squad rotation in the final group stage game against Türkiye, Mauricio Pochettino is ready to press the reset button. With a spot in the Round of 16 on the line tonight, the Argentine manager is expected to roll out his strongest possible starting lineup.Pochettino made nine changes to keep his squad fresh against Türkiye, meaning the likes of Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and Tyler Adams will step back onto the pitch with maximum energy. There's no excuses for the co-hosts tonight.Fans head down to Santa ClaraThe vibes are high in Santa Clara.Thousands of USA fans have already made their way down to the stadium to get the festivities started - and can you blame them?The atmosphere looks great already and you can tell that they're all expecting to witness history tonight. Let's hope the players can deliver.A bit of context...This is the night America has been waiting for. USA top Group D, Christian Pulisic is fit, Folarin Balogun is in the form of his life and 68,000 fans are ready to roar Pochettino’s side into the last 16. Standing in their way: Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have no business being here - and yet here they are, having squeezed through a brutal Group B.The only previous World Cup knockout win in US history came against Mexico in 2002. Tonight is the chance to add a second.Key Updates
