US advance to round of 16 as all three co-hosts reach knockout stage

The United States advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 North America World Cup.

The US defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Thursday at Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco.

Striker Folarin Balogun scored late in the first half before being sent off in the 64th minute, leaving the US a man down. Malik Tillman then converted a direct free kick in the 82nd minute to seal the victory.

The win was the US's first in a World Cup knockout match since they beat Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16 at the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament — a 24-year drought. The Americans had reached the knockout stage three times since then but were eliminated in the round of 16 on each occasion. The victory also ended a run of 13 consecutive matches without a win against European sides at the World Cup, a streak of six draws and seven losses.

The US will face Belgium in the round of 16 after Belgium came from behind to beat Senegal 3-2. That match kicks off at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Seattle Stadium.

Balogun had been denied by an offside call in the 31st minute after cutting past a defender and shooting with his left foot. He made amends just before halftime when Tillman's forward pass deflected off two Bosnian players and fell into his path as he charged toward goal. Balogun finished with his left foot.

The US had controlled the second half as well, but the 64th minute brought a crisis when Balogun received a red card for stepping on Tarik Muharemovic's ankle during an aerial challenge. They overcame the numerical disadvantage, however, as Tillman struck a direct free kick into the net in the 82nd minute to put the result beyond doubt.

The US's progression came after fellow co-hosts Mexico and Canada had each secured their places in the round of 16.