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:
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.
England takes group with easy win against Wales
England is ticketed for the knockout stage and the top spot in Group B after a 3-0 win against Wales.
Marcus Rashford had a brace with goals in the 50th and 68th minutes and Phil Foden added one in the middle, just one minute after Rashford's first goal.
England will face the second-place team in Group A, Senegal, in the first knockout match of the tournament.
Portugal, Brazil tune up for knockout stage in Friday action
Brazil and Portugal, two of the favorites to win the World Cup, are already into the knockout stage, but they'll have a chance to tune up for the second round in their final group matches on Friday.
In Group G, Brazil faces Cameroon, which needs to win and get a loss from Switzerland to qualify or a draw and better goal differential than the Swiss. Switzerland is facing off with Serbia. Serbia would need to win and get a loss by Cameroon or have a better goal differential. The Swiss just need a win or draw to advance alongside Brazil.
In the other set of games Friday, Portugal faces off with South Korea and Uruguay faces Ghana. Portugal may rest its top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, so South Korea will be looking to take advantage and grab an upset win. Tottenham star Son Heung-min and South Korea need to win and get a loss from Ghana, or, if that game ends in a draw, beat Ghana in goal differential.
Uruguay, sitting on 1 point just like Korea, needs a similar situation. They'll need to beat Ghana and get a loss from South Korea, or beat Korea out on goal differential if the Portugal-South Korea match ends in a draw.
Here's the schedule for Friday, the final day of group play: