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.

MORE: Why the Qatar soccer World Cup is so controversial

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.
0
Nov 23, 4:43 PM EST

Ronaldo, Neymar finally hit the pitch Thursday

Thanksgiving and football always go hand-in-hand in the United States, but the World Cup will provide a little different take on Thursday.

World Cup fans will be thankful to finally see Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar take the pitch on the final day of opening matches.

Ronaldo can change the focus back to playing on the field for Portugal after news emerged this week he has parted ways with Manchester United. Neymar, meanwhile, leads the oddsmakers' favorite, Brazil, in Group G.

Here are the matches Thursday:

  • Switzerland vs. Cameroon, 5 a.m., FS1
  • Uruguay vs. South Korea, 8 a.m., FS1
  • Portugal vs. Ghana, 11 a.m., Fox
  • Brazil vs. Serbia, 2 p.m., Fox
    • Nov 23, 4:06 PM EST

    Belgium beats Canada 1-0

    Alphonso Davies stood at the penalty spot with a chance to give Canada its first goal in World Cup history and a lead against favored Belgium in the 10th minute. But a diving save from Thibaut Courtois cut both dreams short.

    Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi would sink a goal in the 44th minute and the No. 2 ranked team in the world held on for a 1-0 win in their opening match.

    Canada played well in its first appearance in the World Cup since 1986, however, and lost out on a second penalty kick on a controversial no-call in the first half.

    Nov 23, 1:02 PM EST

    Spain looks like Cup contender with rout of Costa Rica

    Spain, one of the oddsmakers' favorites to hoist the World Cup trophy next month, did nothing to dissuade those picking the 2010 champs to win another title.

    Spain defeated Costa Rica 7-0 in the most lopsided game of the tournament so far. Costa Rica had zero shots on goal in the match.

    Ferran Torres had two goals, while Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata each had one.

    It was the most goals scored by Spain in a World Cup game, topping the six they scored against Bulgaria in 1998. Spain next plays Germany on Sunday, with the German side facing elimination with a loss.

    Nov 23, 10:16 AM EST

    Japan shocks Germany with 2 goals in final 15 minutes

    Germany controlled possession throughout the first half and appeared ready to cruise to a opening game victory. Then Japan turned it on in a shocking final 15 minutes to steal the win.

    German Ilkay Gundogan scored on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, and thought they had added a second late in the first half before a review took it off the board.

    In the second, Ritsu Doan tied the game at 1-1 in the 75th minute after coming on the pitch just four minutes earlier. Eight minutes later, Takuma Asano gave Japan the 2-1 lead and held on for the win.

    Dec 01, 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 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.