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:
Ghana defeats South Korea, Cameroon and Serbia tie
Ghana won over South Korea 3-2 in a high-intensity match that saw the momentum change several times over.
Ghana started strong, with Mohammed Salisu scoring 24 minutes in and Mohammed Kudus at 34 minutes, bringing the score to 2-0 by halftime.
But then Cho Gue-sung of South Korea scored twice, at the 58th minute and again just three minutes later. He scored both goals on a header from a cross, the second powerful strike followed by an exuberant team celebration as it tied up the game.
Ghana met the challenge just minutes later, with Kudus scoring once more to put Ghana back in the lead.
With 10 minutes of extra time, South Korea was not able to score again as the Ghanaian team successfully defended multiple goal opportunities.
Earlier Monday, in Group G, Cameroon and Serbia ended in a 3-3 tie.
Germany, Spain tie
Germany and Spain ended their high-energy match in a 1-1 tie Sunday.
Both goals came late in the game, with Spain's Álvaro Morata scoring at 62 minutes and Germany's Niclas Füllkrug at 83 minutes.
Croatia beats Canada 4-1
Croatia handily beat Canada four goals to one. Croatia's goals were scored by Marko Livaja, Lovro Majer and Andrej Kramaric, who scored twice.
Canada's Alphonso Davies scored their sole point, the country's first in a men's FIFA World Cup, within the first three minutes of the match.
Croatia is now the top team in Group F, while Canada will not advance.
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.
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).
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.