World Cup updates: Team USA looks forward to 2026

The Americans lost 3-1 to the Netherlands in the knockout round.

ByMark Osborne, Jon Haworth, Nadine El-Bawab, Patricio Chile, Kevin Shalvey, Alexandra Svokos, and Kiara Alfonseca
Last Updated: January 20, 2023, 10:53 AM EST

After years of controversy around its location, the 2022 World Cup is underway in Qatar.

There have been allegations of payoffs to FIFA members to earn the bid, criticism of Qatar's laws against women and LGBTQ individuals, the deaths of migrants used to build the sparkling new stadiums and even last-second controversy over beer sales. The tournament was also moved from its usual summer timeframe to the holiday season to avoid Qatar's intensely hot weather.

But on the field, the best players in the world -- such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar -- are ready to go. And the U.S. is back with a hungry, young team after failing to qualify for the last World Cup.

Key headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 22, 2022, 9:03 AM EST

Saudi Arabia stuns Argentina

Lionel Messi and Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as the Saudis rallied to beat one of the tournament's favorites, 2-1.

Messi, one of the sport's all-time greats, scored in the 10th minute on a penalty kick. But Saudi Arabia came out strong in the second half with goals in the 48th minute by Saleh Al-Shehri and in the 53rd minute by Salem Al-Dawsari.

PHOTO: Argentina's Lionel Messi, top right, leaves the pitch as Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Burayk celebrates after his team's win in the World Cup group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar,, Nov. 22, 2022.
Argentina's Lionel Messi, top right, leaves the pitch as Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Burayk celebrates after his team's win in the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Luca Bruno/AP
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts following the team's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in a first round match from World Cup Group C, Nov. 22, 2022.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Argentina is currently third in the FIFA world rankings, while Saudi Arabia is 51st.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid fight for the ball during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Jorge Saenz/AP

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