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: December 1, 2022, 9:50 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 01, 2022, 9:50 AM EST

Belgium, No. 2 team in world, fights to advance in highlight of Thursday action

Belgium entered the World Cup with the No. 2 ranking in the world with its so-called "Golden Generation" looking at one last chance to win the tournament. Now, the team is fighting just to advance to the knockout stage.

All eyes will be on Romalu Lukaku, the star forward for Belgium who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, to see if he can play and play well. He came on as a substitute in the squad's second game for his first action of the tournament. He'll start Thursday's game on the bench too, but figures to be an important substitute.

Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku smiles as he takes part in a training session at the Salwa Training Site in Salwa Beach, southwest of Doha on Nov. 30, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Croatia and Belgium.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Belgium, currently third in Group F, faces Croatia, which stands atop the group. A win for Croatia puts them in the second round and officially eliminates Belgium. A win for Belgium would also put them through. A draw and it gets more complicated, with Morocco also in contention.

Morocco is facing off with Canada, which is unfortunately already eliminated from advancing to the knockout stage in its first World Cup appearance since 1986. At 0-2, the country would still like to get its first World Cup victory ever. Morocco would clinch a spot in the second round with a win. If both matches end in a draw, then Croatia and Morocco would go through to the knockout stage.

Germany's Serge Gnabry takes part in training before the country's game against Costa Rica, Nov. 30, 2022.
Annegret Hilse/Reuters

The second slate of games Thursday features longtime soccer power Germany fighting to stay alive. The country sits last in Group E with just 1 point. They'll need to beat heavy underdog Costa Rica just to have a chance to advance. If Germany wins and Spain beats Japan, Germany would get through.

Spain or Japan would advance with a win as they play each other. Spain would also advance with a draw, but Japan would only advance with a draw if Germany loses or ties or Germany wins and Japan has the better goal differential.

Here's the schedule for Thursday:

  • Canada vs. Morocco, FS1, 10 a.m.
  • Croatia vs. Belgium, Fox, 10 a.m.
  • Costa Rica vs. Germany, FS1, 2 p.m.
  • Japan vs. Spain, Fox, 2 p.m.

Nov 30, 2022, 4:14 PM EST

Argentina wins, takes Group C; Poland also advances

Argentina won 2-0 over Poland, clinching its spot on top of Group C and prolonging the run for superstar Lionel Messi despite the team's shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in the tournament's opening match.

Though Poland lost, the country will advance to the knockout round as well. Mexico beat Saudi Arabia, 2-1, in its match but tied with Poland at 4 points. Poland advanced on goal differential, finishing one goal better than Mexico.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after the match as Argentina qualified for the knockout stages with a win over Poland, Nov. 30, 2022.
Peter Cziborra/Reuters
PHOTO: Cesar Montes of Mexico shows dejection as the team fails to go through to the knockout stage despite his side's 2-1 victory in a World Cup Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 30, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar.
Cesar Montes of Mexico shows dejection as the team fails to go through to the knockout stage despite his side's 2-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 30, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Argentina will face Australia on Saturday while Poland faces France on Sunday.

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.

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