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.
Dec 02, 2022, 12:09 PM EST

South Korea shocks Portugal in extra time, advances to knockout stage

South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan scored in the 91st minute to give his team a shocking, come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Portugal and move them into the next round.

Portugal scored just five minutes into the match, but Korea's Kim Young-gwon tied it up in the 27th minute.

Despite the loss, Portugal was already assured of making the knockout stage and they took the opportunity to sub out star Cristiano Ronaldo in the 65th minute.

South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup group H soccer match between South Korea and Portugal, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Portugal's defender Pepe fights for the ball with South Korea's forward Cho Gue-sung during the World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Portugal at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on Dec. 2, 2022.
Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images

Uruguay defeated Ghana 2-0 in the other game in the group, but South Korea finished tied with Uruguay at 4 points in the group. The teams were also tied on goal differential and tied head-to-head, so they went to total goals scored to give the edge to Korea.

Several players on Uruguay angrily shouted and gestured at the referees as they left the field, drawing post-match yellow cards. Uruguay missed a penalty kick earlier in the game and were angry about not getting another penalty later in the game.

Portugal goes down as the winner of Group H with South Korea in second. That likely means a meeting with Brazil in the next game for South Korea.

PHOTO: Ghana's defender Daniel Amartey, Ghana's defender Mohammed Salisu and Uruguay's defender Mathias Olivera fight for a header during the World Cup football match between Ghana and Uruguay in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on Dec. 2, 2022.
Ghana's defender Daniel Amartey, Ghana's defender Mohammed Salisu and Uruguay's defender Mathias Olivera fight for a header during the Qatar World Cup Group H football match between Ghana and Uruguay at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on Dec. 2, 2022.
Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images

Dec 01, 2022, 5:16 PM EST

Portugal, Brazil tune up for knockout stage in Friday action

Brazil and Portugal, two of the favorites to win the World Cup, are already into the knockout stage, but they'll have a chance to tune up for the second round in their final group matches on Friday.

In Group G, Brazil faces Cameroon, which needs to win and get a loss from Switzerland to qualify or a draw and better goal differential than the Swiss. Switzerland is facing off with Serbia. Serbia would need to win and get a loss by Cameroon or have a better goal differential. The Swiss just need a win or draw to advance alongside Brazil.

South Korea's midfielder Son Heung-min attends a training session at Al Egla Training Site 5 in Doha on Dec. 1, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between South Korea and Portugal.
Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images

In the other set of games Friday, Portugal faces off with South Korea and Uruguay faces Ghana. Portugal may rest its top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, so South Korea will be looking to take advantage and grab an upset win. Tottenham star Son Heung-min and South Korea need to win and get a loss from Ghana, or, if that game ends in a draw, beat Ghana in goal differential.

Uruguay, sitting on 1 point just like Korea, needs a similar situation. They'll need to beat Ghana and get a loss from South Korea, or beat Korea out on goal differential if the Portugal-South Korea match ends in a draw.

Here's the schedule for Friday, the final day of group play:

  • Ghana vs. Uruguay, 10 a.m., FS1
  • South Korea vs. Portugal, 10 a.m., Fox
  • Cameroon vs. Brazil, 2 p.m., Fox
  • Serbia vs. Switzerland, 2 p.m., FS1

Dec 01, 2022, 3:58 PM EST

Japan stuns Spain to win group, Spain advances on goal differential

Japan stunned perennial contender Spain with two goals early in the second half to win 2-1 and take the top spot in Group E.

Spain, thanks to a blowout victory over Costa Rica in their first game, advanced on goal differential over Germany. Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 in the other game in the group. Costa Rica had a chance to advance, but likely needed to win since the team was so far behind on goal differential.

Japan's Ritsu Doan celebrates scoring their first goal with Kaoru Mitoma and Ao Tanaka against Spain, Dec. 1, 2022.
Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters

Japan won on goals by Ritsu Doan in the 48th minute and Ao Tanaka in the 51st minute. Tanaka's goal was initially disallowed due to being offside, but it was reviewed and then allowed.

Japan had made the round of 16 in alternating years the last six World Cups until this year, now going back to back in 2018 and 2022. Japan will play Croatia in the next round while Spain will play Morocco.

Germany has now failed to get out of the group stage in two straight World Cups after winning in 2014 and finishing in the top 4 four tournaments in a row.

Dec 01, 2022, 12:01 PM EST

Morocco, Croatia advance as Belgium shockingly goes home

The No. 2 team in the world, Belgium, is headed home after a scoreless draw against Croatia in the last match of Group F. Croatia advanced to the knockout stages with the draw.

Belgium had several opportunities to score in the second half, many from star Romelu Lukaku, but could not break through. Lukaku, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, was subbed in at the half.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku reacts to missing a goal against Croatia in the World Cup, Dec. 1, 2022.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters

In the other game in Group F, Morocco defeated Canada, 2-1, to take the top spot in the group. Hakim Ziyech got the Moroccans on the board quickly in the 4th minute and Youssef En-Nesyri added a second goal in the 23rd minute. The only goal for Canada was actually an own goal by Morocco.

Canada, in its second World Cup ever, has still yet to win a match.

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