France World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit issues no-nonsense verdict on USMNT’s chances
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side’s first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Emmanuel Petit knows what it takes to win the World Cup, and he has offered his view on USMNT’s chances ahead of their round of 32 clash against Bosnia & Herzegovina later today.
USMNT take on Bosnia at 8pm at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – and they head into the game in confident mood after topping their group thanks to big wins over Paraguay and Australia.
They face a Bosnia side who scraped through in the final round of group fixtures, having to beat Qatar to make sure they remained in the competition.
Emmanuel Petit’s USMNT vs Bosnia preview
And Petit, who won the World Cup with France on home soil back in 1988, believes Mauricio Pochettino’s side will overcome Bosnia later today.
Speaking on behalf of Jackpot City Casino, Petit said: “I think they will be able to beat Bosnia, but Bosnia have good defensive structure and they play for set pieces and corners. Bosnia will have a few chances to score, but they are not one of the best teams in the World Cup.
“It won’t be an easy game, but I think the USA will qualify.” However, he was less positive about USMNT’s chances from the last-16 stage onwards.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder added: “If they beat Bosnia, they might have a chance if they face Belgium, but if it is Senegal, I don’t see the USA going any further.”
If USMNT were to overcome Bosnia, they would face either Belgium or Senegal in Seattle on July 6th in Seattle – who are ranked 10th and 18th in FIFA’s World Rankings.
Pochettino’s side knows a tough test awaits later, and they must be much better against Bosnia than they were last time out in their 3-2 defeat to already-out Turkey.
