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 24, 2022, 7:07 AM EST

Switzerland defeats Cameroon 1-0

Cameroon-born Swiss star Breel Embolo scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute shortly after the half as Switzerland defeated Cameroon in the first game of the World Cup for each squad in Group G.

Embolo, who plays for Ligue 1 club Monaco in France, refused to celebrate in what would be the only goal of the match and held up his hands after scoring before he was mobbed by his teammates in celebration.

Switzerland will next play Brazil on Monday while Cameroon will take on Serbia the same day.

Nov 24, 2022, 5:12 AM EST

Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon kicks off

The Swiss squad have not lost in their first match at a World Cup since 1966 -- a 5-0 defeat against Germany -- while Cameroon arrive at their eighth World Cup, the most among African nations.

The other two teams, Brazil and Serbia, will face each other at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

Nov 23, 2022, 4:43 PM EST

Ronaldo, Neymar finally hit the pitch Thursday

Thanksgiving and football always go hand-in-hand in the United States, but the World Cup will provide a little different take on Thursday.

World Cup fans will be thankful to finally see Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar take the pitch on the final day of opening matches.

Brazil's forward Neymar takes part in a training session at the Al Arabi SC Stadium in Doha on Nov. 20, 2022, just moments before the kick-off of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images

Ronaldo can change the focus back to playing on the field for Portugal after news emerged this week he has parted ways with Manchester United. Neymar, meanwhile, leads the oddsmakers' favorite, Brazil, in Group G.

Here are the matches Thursday:

  • Switzerland vs. Cameroon, 5 a.m., FS1
  • Uruguay vs. South Korea, 8 a.m., FS1
  • Portugal vs. Ghana, 11 a.m., Fox
  • Brazil vs. Serbia, 2 p.m., Fox

Nov 23, 2022, 4:06 PM EST

Belgium beats Canada 1-0

Alphonso Davies stood at the penalty spot with a chance to give Canada its first goal in World Cup history and a lead against favored Belgium in the 10th minute. But a diving save from Thibaut Courtois cut both dreams short.

Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi would sink a goal in the 44th minute and the No. 2 ranked team in the world held on for a 1-0 win in their opening match.

Canada played well in its first appearance in the World Cup since 1986, however, and lost out on a second penalty kick on a controversial no-call in the first half.

Canada's forward Cyle Larin reacts during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on Nov. 23, 2022.
Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images
Belgium's forward Michy Batshuayi reacts during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on Nov. 23, 2022.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

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