USMNT draws Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, not England, as crypto prediction markets surge

Sorry to burst the blockbuster bubble. The US Men’s National Team won’t be facing England on the Fourth of July in some made-for-Hollywood World Cup showdown.

Instead, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. The matchup pits the USMNT, who topped Group D with six points and eight goals across three matches, against the third-place finisher from Group B.

How the USMNT got here

The Americans earned their spot as Group D champions despite a late 3-2 loss to Turkey that added some unnecessary drama to an otherwise commanding group stage. The squad’s victory over Australia and overall goal output secured the top seed, which is why they drew a third-place qualifier rather than a group runner-up.

This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, a massive expansion from the previous 32-team format. That means a brand new Round of 32 before the traditional knockout rounds even begin. The expanded bracket is exactly why the USMNT’s path leads to Bosnia and Herzegovina instead of England.

Crypto’s growing footprint on the pitch

Kraken was named FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on June 9, 2026.

Chiliz, the blockchain company behind the Socios.com fan-token platform, continues to power fan engagement for national teams participating in the tournament. Their CHZ token infrastructure lets supporters buy into team-specific tokens that grant voting rights on minor club decisions and exclusive access to content.

Blockchain-based ticketing was tested during this tournament using Avalanche’s network. The idea is straightforward: putting tickets on-chain reduces counterfeiting and scalping while creating a verifiable chain of ownership.

Prediction markets are having their moment

Platforms like Kalshi have seen surging activity around USMNT matches, with the broader tournament driving over $5B in prediction market transaction volumes.

The expanded 48-team format is a gift for prediction market operators. More teams means more matches, more uncertainty, and more opportunities for traders to take positions. A Round of 32 that didn’t exist in previous World Cups effectively adds 16 new betting events to the calendar.

The USMNT kicks off against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 5 p.m. local time in Santa Clara.

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