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:
Lionel Messi's Argentina side highlights Wednesday's action
Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, faces a critical match with Poland as it attempts to qualify for the knockout rounds Wednesday.
Group C is tightly packed with Poland standing at 4 points, Argentina at 3 points and underdog Saudi Arabia at 3 points. Mexico is at the bottom of the table with 1 point, but it does have a chance of making the next round.
If Poland or Argentina wins outright, it will qualify for the next round. If Saudi Arabia defeats Mexico, it will also improbably make it to the knockout stages. But who advances otherwise gets more complicated from there.
Mexico needs to defeat Saudi Arabia if it wants to advance, but they still would need to get a helpful result in the Poland-Argentina match (either a Poland win or a draw and advantageous goal differential). A draw in both matches would put Argentina and Saudi Arabia tied at 4 points and come down to goal differential as well. Poland would win the group.
Group D is more clear. France has already qualified for the next round, so they may take it easy against Tunisia. Tunisia would need to beat France, get a draw in Australia-Denmark and win out on goal differential.
The Aussies would advance with a win against Denmark. Denmark can only advance with a win, though it would need a better goal differential than Tunisia if the African country upsets France.
Here is Wednesday's schedule:
Christian Pulisic taken to hospital for scans
U.S. star Christian Pulisic was taken to the hospital for scans on his abdomen after the team's win over Iran.
Pulisic sustained an injury after he slammed into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while scoring the eventual game-winning goal late in the first half. Though he stayed down for several minutes and had to be helped to the sideline, he did return to the game.
The 24-year-old was substituted out at halftime. U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter said immediately following the game he did not have an update on Pulisic's condition. The U.S.'s next game is Saturday.
Biden congratulates USA soccer team
President Joe Biden celebrated the U.S. win over Iran at the World Cup following remarks in Bay City, Michigan. He walked back up on stage and delivered his congratulations:
“USA! USA! That’s a big game, man. Well, I spoke to the coach and the players and said, ‘You can do it,'” Biden said.
He continued, “They did it. God love ‘em! Anyway, just thought you might want to hear.”
The U.S. will face the Netherlands at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the knockout round.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson
US advances to knockout stage with 1-0 win against Iran
The United States has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Iran.
Walker Zimmerman played hero for the U.S. in the 98th minute when he cleared a loose ball from just feet in front of their net.
The U.S. finished second in Group B and will face the Netherlands, the winner of Group A, in the knockout round.
Poland defeats Saudi Arabia 2-0
Poland defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0, putting the Polish team in Group C's top spot.
Saudi Arabia has the second highest number of points in the group thanks to its surprise 2-1 win over Argentina. Mexico and Argentina will face off later today, where Mexico could knock Argentina out of the tournament with a win.