Who is the referee for USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup knockout round?

The USA will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the knockout stage of the World Cup on Friday at 5 PM PT (8 PM ET) at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The match marks the Round of 32, showcasing the co-hosts as they aim to advance further in the tournament.

Referee Details for USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina

The main referee for the match will be Raphael Claus, a Brazilian official with significant experience. At 46 years old, Claus has been on the FIFA officiating list since 2015 and is recognized as one of South America's elite referees.

Claus has officiated major matches, including the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. He also has a history with the Copa Libertadores, where he oversaw a semi-final clash between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

Assistant Officials and VAR Team

Assisting Claus will be Brazilian linesmen Danilo Manis and Rodrigo Figueiredo, with Dario Herrera from Argentina serving as the fourth official. The VAR team will include Juan Soto from Venezuela and Nicolas Gallo from Colombia as the assistant VAR.

Understanding the roles is crucial; while the assistant VAR aids in decision-making, the support VAR ensures communication and monitors the live feed during reviews.

Match Context for USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina

The USA has performed well in the tournament, securing victories in their first two matches against Paraguay and Australia, although they suffered a late defeat to Turkey in their final group game. Conversely, Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified for the knockout stage despite a mixed performance, finishing third in their group after a win against Qatar and draws against Switzerland and Canada.

This match poses a significant challenge for Bosnia-Herzegovina as they seek to cause an upset against one of the tournament's co-hosts.