USA vs – With Independence Day on the horizon, U.S. soccer fans asked whether the United States men’s national team will face England on July 4. The answer is no. The tournament bracket places both teams on opposite sides, with the U.S. beginning its Round of 32 on Jul
Independence Day hype is hitting hard in the U.S. soccer bubble, and it’s not subtle: fans have been asking whether the United States men’s national soccer team will collide with England on July 4 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The script sounds perfect for the holiday—but the tournament calendar shuts it down. A look at the upcoming schedule and the official bracket makes it clear: there are no matches scheduled for July 4. And because of how FIFA structured the knockout draw. the United States and England are placed on opposite sides of the tournament field. so a meeting anytime soon isn’t on the table. let alone on July 4.
The U.S. has earned its place in the single-elimination knockout stage after topping Group D with six points. Over three matches, the Americans found the net eight times. Even with a late 3-2 slip-up against Turkey, they did enough to secure the top spot and advance to the expanded Round of 32.
Their knockout journey starts on Wednesday. July 1. at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara. California. where the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. Christian Pulisic is a key part of that story: he recently returned from a calf injury and came on as a second-half substitute against Turkey. Now. the co-hosts will lean on his momentum as they try to guide the Round of 32 bid past the 62nd-ranked Dragons.
If the United States wins on July 1, its next step is set for July 6 in Seattle. That Round of 16 matchup will be against either Belgium or Senegal.
England’s path is separate but just as sharply defined. The Three Lions won Group L with seven points. They’ll play DR Congo in the Round of 32 after scoring six goals in the opening round.
So for fans hoping for a July 4 blockbuster. the bracket delivers a different kind of drama: not a U.S.-England showdown on America’s birthday. but two teams already set on separate knockout tracks—U.S. beginning with Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, England beginning its own knockout run on the other side of the field.
2026 FIFA World Cup USA vs England July 4 Round of 32 Christian Pulisic Mauricio Pochettino Bosnia and Herzegovina DR Congo Group D Group L