Bosnia and Herzegovina defender eager to knock USMNT out of World Cup: 'It will be awesome for us'

Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the likely World Cupround of 32 matchup for the United States men's national team and the trash talk has already started.

Coming off a 3-1 win over Qatar during Wednesday's Group B finale, Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Stjepan Radeljić, who made his first World Cup start, is savoring the opportunity to face one of the tournament's co-hosts. In an interview with SiriusXM FC contributor Jon Morosi, Radeljić said he is expecting a successful showing by his side.

"They have a really quality team," said the 28-year-old Radeljić, who has made six appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina in his international career. "We are expecting a very hard game. It will be awesome for us, and amazing, to kick them out when they play at home."

Radeljić repeated his bulletin board material when speaking to local media saying, "This is a serious team with serious players. Now we will rest and prepare well for what is to come. There is certainly nothing sweeter than knocking the host out of the championship."

A USMNT-Bosnia and Herzegovina matchup isn't set in stone just let, but it is a very likely outcome once group play wraps up on Saturday. It would be the fourth time the two sides have met and first time in a World Cup.

By virtue of the USMNT winning Group D, the Americans are bracketed to face the third-place team from either Groups B, E, F, I or J. Bosnia and Herzegovina placed third in Group B. Groups E and F finish on Thursday; while Group I wraps up on Friday and Group J will shake out on Saturday.

The USMNT finish their group play schedule against Türkiye in Los Angeles on Thursday night. Their round of 32 matchup will take place on Wednesday, July 1 in Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Cal.