World Cup updates: Team USA looks forward to 2026
The Americans lost 3-1 to the Netherlands in the knockout round.
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:
Morocco beats Belgium 2-0
Morocco beat Belgium Sunday with two goals over zero.
The first goal was scored by Abdelhamid Sabiri 73 minutes in on a free kick near the corner. The second goal came in extra minutes, scored by Zakaria Aboukhlal chipping off a smart assist by Hakim Ziyech.
This win puts Morocco at the top of Group F.
Costa Rica beats Japan 1-0 with late goal
Costa Rica beat the favored Japan 1-0 with a late goal on Sunday.
Keysher Fuller scored the match’s sole goal at the 81-minute mark, shooting from inside the 18-yard box and slipping the ball past the fingertips of Japan’s goaltender, Shuichi Gonda.
The goal was Costa Rica’s first of the tournament after losing 7-0 against Spain in its opening game.
Argentina tops Mexico 2-0 in vital win
After a stunning loss to Saudi Arabia in their first game, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 in the closely-watched Group C match.
Argentina’s two goals came courtesy of a long-distance strike from superstar forward Lionel Messi in the 64th minute and a shot to the top corner from midfielder Enzo Fernández in the 87th minute.
Argentina and Saudi Arabia now have three points each. The team that wins their third match in this round will likely head to the knockouts.
France defeats Denmark 2-1 in heated match
France defeated Denmark 2-1 with a last minute goal from Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, in what was a tight game between the two Group D teams.
Mbappé also scored France's first goal of the match. The win solidifies France's spot in the knockout round.
To qualify for the next round, Denmark will have to defeat Australia on Wednesday.
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.
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 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.