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: November 29, 2022, 12:02 PM 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 29, 2022, 12:02 PM EST

Senegal, Netherlands advance from Group A

The first two teams to advance out of group play are Senegal and Netherlands. Netherlands cruised to a 2-0 victory over host country Qatar, while Senegal earned a 2-1 victory in a must-win match.

Senegal led 1-0 at the half on a penalty kick goal from Ismaila Sarr in the 44th minute. But Ecuador tied the game 1-1 in the 67th minute on a goal by Moises Caicedo off a corner kick. A draw would've meant Ecuador advanced to the knockout round.

But Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly scored the go-ahead goal just three minutes later off a free kick. The goal stood up as the game-winner.

Ecuador's Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring the country's first goal with teammates against Senegal in a Group A World Cup match in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022.
Thaier Al-sudani/Reuters
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates in a Group A World Cup match against Ecuador, Nov. 29, 2022.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters

A heavily favored Dutch side had no issues with Qatar, which had already been eliminated from contention for the second round. Cody Gakpo scored in the 26th minute and Frenkie de Jong added a second goal just four minutes into the second half. Netherlands finished atop the group with the win.

Netherlands' midfielder Frenkie De Jong celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between the Netherlands and Qatar at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on Nov. 29, 2022.
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images

Netherlands will play the second-place team in Group B in the next round, while Senegal will face the winner of Group A. The U.S., if they advance over Iran, will likely take on Netherlands.

Nov 29, 2022, 11:03 AM EST

Senegal, Netherlands hold 1-0 leads at half

Senegal and the Netherlands hold one-goal leads at the half in the final matches in Group A.

Senegal, which likely needs a win to advance, scored a goal on a penalty kick by Ismaila Sarr in the 44th minute. Senegal leads Ecuador, 1-0. Ecuador needs a win or draw to advance to the knockout stage.

Senegal's Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring their first goal with Iliman Ndiaye in their Group A World Cup match against Ecuador, Nov. 29. 2022.
Stephane Mahe/Reuters

The Netherlands has had no problems with the host country of Qatar in the first half, leading 1-0 behind a goal from Cody Gakpo in the 26th minute. A win would put the Dutch into the second round.

Nov 29, 2022, 10:07 AM EST

Netherlands-Qatar and Ecuador-Senegal underway

The first two matches of the day are underway in Qatar, including the final game for the home squad.

Qatar, which cannot advance to the next round after losses in its first two matches, faces the Netherlands, which currently stands atop Group A. The Netherlands would advance with a win.

Netherlands players line up for the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on Nov. 29, 2022, in Al Khor, Qatar.
Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

In the second match, Ecuador and Senegal face off with the winner guaranteeing a spot in the knockout stage. A draw would also be enough for Ecuador to move on.

If Senegal-Ecuador tie and Netherlands loses, it will come down to goal differential to determine whether Netherlands or Senegal advances. Netherlands is currently plus-2 in goal differential on Senegal, so they are looking good.

Nov 29, 2022, 9:56 AM EST

FiveThirtyEight gives US 38% chance of beating Iran

The odds of beating Iran are in the U.S.'s favor, but the overall chances of advancing to the knockout round are not -- at least according to FiveThirtyEight's World Cup predictions.

The U.S. has a 38% chance of winning, while Iran has a 31% chance, with a 31% chance of a draw. Only a win will put Team USA into the next round, so that means there's a 62% chance they won't advance to the knockout stage.

For those looking even further down the line, the U.S. has less than a 1% chance of winning the World Cup -- the same as Iran. For those looking on the bright side, the U.S. does have a 15% chance of making the quarterfinals.

FiveThirtyEight uses its Soccer Power Index ratings to determine the likely winner. The SPI draws from a database of international matches dating back to 1905. For a full explanation of how the rankings work, click here.

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