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, 4:23 PM EST

Soccer powers take the stage on Wednesday

Germany, Spain and Belgium take to the field on Wednesday as they each look to open the tournament with a win -- and deliver a message that they are in World Cup-winning form. Germany and Spain won the World Cup in 2014 and 2010, respectively, while Belgium is No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings.

Our neighbors to the north, Canada, also get their World Cup underway. This is just the second time Canada has appeared in the World Cup and certainly want to do better than that appearance in 1986 when they went 0-3 in the group stage.

Here's the schedule for Wednesday:

  • Morocco vs. Croatia, 5 a.m., FS1
  • Germany vs. Japan, 8 a.m., FS1
  • Spain vs. Costa Rica, 11 a.m., Fox
  • Belgium vs. Canada, 2 p.m., Fox

Nov 22, 2022, 4:07 PM EST

Defending champion France routs Australia

Just nine minutes into France's opening round match with Australia they trailed 1-0 behind a goal from Craig Goodwin.

But any thoughts of the defending World Cup champions stumbling to a loss in their opener -- like Argentina earlier in the day -- were erased by Adrien Rabiot in the 28th minute. Five minutes later, Olivier Giroud banged one home to take the lead.

France's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Australia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on Nov. 22, 2022.
Anne-christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images
France's Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring during the World Cup group D soccer match between France and Australia, at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP

The rout was on in the second half when 23-year-old French star Kylian Mbappe headed one home in the 68th minute. Giroud scored a brace with his second goal in the 71st minute. The goal tied him with legend Thierry Henry for the most international goals in French history.

France finished with 23 shots to Australia's four. The Aussies had just one shot on goal.

Nov 22, 2022, 1:11 PM EST

Mexico, Poland go scoreless after Lewandowski misses penalty

Mexico and Poland, both teams hoping to advance to the knockout stage, finished 0-0 in their opening match after Polish star Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty kick in the second half.

Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa came up with a big stop in the 58th minute Tuesday. Mexico, meanwhile, dominated possession -- 61% to 39% -- and had 11 shots but couldn't break through.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts after having a penalty kick saved by Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa in their World Cup Group C matchup Nov. 22, 2002.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Mexico's Hector Moreno in action with Poland's Jakub Kaminski in World Cup Group C, Nov. 22, 2022.
Carl Recine/Reuters

Lewandowski, one of his generation's great forwards, has not scored a World Cup goal in four matches.

Nov 22, 2022, 11:12 AM EST

Fans show off team pride with crazy costumes

Win or lose, you can always count on fans to show up -- often in the most outlandish outfits.

Iran supporters wait for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 21, 2022.
Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
An Argentinian fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium, Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Fans attend the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, Nov. 22, 2022.
Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images
A Netherlands' supporter takes their seat for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Nov. 21, 2022.
Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images
A Netherlands' supporter takes their seat for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Nov. 21, 2022.
Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images
A fan of the team form Mexico watches during warm ups before the World Cup group C soccer match between Mexico and Poland, at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

-ABC News' Moe Zoyari

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola