United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has underlined that his side will not be taking Bosnia lightly, despite being viewed as favorites in the upcoming World Cup round‑of‑32 encounter.
Speaking ahead of the match, Pochettino pointed to the recent shock results that have shaken the tournament, notably Germany's narrow defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout and Morocco's surprising victory over the Netherlands on spot kicks.
The Americans finished top of Group D with two wins, but they will be without centre‑back Mark McKenzie, who is sidelined by a foot problem, while left‑back Auston Trusty is edging closer to full fitness after an ankle injury that kept him out of the previous game.
Christian Pulisic, who has declared himself fully fit after a brief substitute appearance, is expected to start, adding experience to a lineup that must navigate the absence of several key defenders.
Respect Over Rankings
Pochettino described the Bosnia match as a final for the United States, stressing the need to respect the opponent's quality and organization, and noting that the winner will advance to face either Senegal or Belgium in the next round.
The coach's message reflects a broader theme in the tournament: even when a team appears on paper as the stronger side, the unpredictable nature of knockout football demands humility and preparation.