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 30, 2022, 2:02 PM EST

Messi fights to advance as Argentina-Poland kicks off

The match between Argentina and Poland has kicked off as the legendary Lionel Messi fights to stay alive in what could be his final World Cup. Argentina was shocked in the first round by Saudi Arabia, which means the team is precariously close to being knocked from the tournament in the group stage.

Argentina has made it out of the group stage in 11 of the last 12 World Cups (only failing in 2002).

Argentina forward Lionel Messi waves to supporters during warm up ahead of the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 in Doha on Nov. 30, 2022.
Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images

Poland stands atop Group C with 4 points, while Argentina is second with 3 points after a 2-0 win against Mexico. But all four teams in the group still have a chance of advancing.

In the second match now underway, Mexico faces Saudi Arabia. After the surprising win over Argentina, Saudi Arabia could advance with a win over Mexico. Mexico would need to win and hope Poland knocks off Argentina. If Mexico wins and Argentina-Poland draw, it would come down to goal differential.

Mexico supporters on the stands wait for the start of the World Cup group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Ricardo Mazalan/AP

Nov 30, 2022, 12:10 PM EST

Australia upsets Denmark to advance to knockout stage

Australia got a goal from Mathew Leckie in the 60th minute and held on for a 1-0 upset win over Denmark to make it to the knockout rounds. It is the first time the Aussies have advanced out of the group stage since 2006 and only the second time ever.

Denmark had a 52% chance of winning, according to FiveThirtyEight's World Cup math predictions.

Australia's Harry Souttar heads the ball during the World Cup group D soccer match between Australia and Denmark, at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Aijaz Rahi/AP

Tunisia beat France, which had already advanced, 1-0 after replay disqualified a goal in the 98th minute by France's Antoine Griezmann. Several of France's top players did not start, including superstar Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe came on in the 63rd minute. Griezmann also came on in the second half.

The victory by Australia had already eliminated Tunisia from any chance of advancing.

France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates before it was disallowed following a VAR review in the World Cup, Nov. 30, 2022.
Marko Djurica/Reuters

France will take on the second-place team in Group C, while Australia will face the winners of that group. Group C action will take place Wednesday afternoon, including Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Nov 30, 2022, 11:49 AM EST

The U.S. Played To Win Against Iran — And It Worked: FiveThirtyEight

Christian Pulisic nearly captured the entire story of the United States’ win-or-go-home match against Iran on Tuesday in the second minute, when he took off on a dangerous-looking run forward that came to nothing.

But after 37 minutes, seven shots and five chances that generated 0.42 expected goals but no actual goals (while allowing none, none and 0.00 to Iran), Pulisic truly exemplified America’s effort in this match: He put his body on the line to score the goal that would knock Iran out of the World Cup -- and send the U.S. to the knockout round.

Christian Pulisic of the United States scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup group B soccer match between Iran and the United States at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022
Manu Fernandez/AP

Read more about how the USA's change in tactics earned them the win.

-FiveThirtyEight's Ty Schalter

Nov 30, 2022, 10:03 AM EST

France-Tunisia and Australia-Denmark underway

The Group D matches are underway Wednesday morning in Qatar with France taking on Tunisia and Australia facing Denmark.

France is already qualified for the knockout stages, so the other three teams are competing for a place alongside them. A win for Australia, currently sitting on 3 points, would automatically qualify them for the next round.

Australia fans inside the stadium before the match with Denmark on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Denmark and Tunisia are sitting on 1 point each, so they need to win and get some help from goal differential to qualify for the next stage.

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