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.


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Soccer powers take the stage on Wednesday

Germany, Spain and Belgium take to the field on Wednesday as they each look to open the tournament with a win -- and deliver a message that they are in World Cup-winning form. Germany and Spain won the World Cup in 2014 and 2010, respectively, while Belgium is No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings.

Our neighbors to the north, Canada, also get their World Cup underway. This is just the second time Canada has appeared in the World Cup and certainly want to do better than that appearance in 1986 when they went 0-3 in the group stage.

Here's the schedule for Wednesday:

  • Morocco vs. Croatia, 5 a.m., FS1
  • Germany vs. Japan, 8 a.m., FS1
  • Spain vs. Costa Rica, 11 a.m., Fox
  • Belgium vs. Canada, 2 p.m., Fox

  • Defending champion France routs Australia

    Just nine minutes into France's opening round match with Australia they trailed 1-0 behind a goal from Craig Goodwin.

    But any thoughts of the defending World Cup champions stumbling to a loss in their opener -- like Argentina earlier in the day -- were erased by Adrien Rabiot in the 28th minute. Five minutes later, Olivier Giroud banged one home to take the lead.

    The rout was on in the second half when 23-year-old French star Kylian Mbappe headed one home in the 68th minute. Giroud scored a brace with his second goal in the 71st minute. The goal tied him with legend Thierry Henry for the most international goals in French history.

    France finished with 23 shots to Australia's four. The Aussies had just one shot on goal.


    Mexico, Poland go scoreless after Lewandowski misses penalty

    Mexico and Poland, both teams hoping to advance to the knockout stage, finished 0-0 in their opening match after Polish star Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty kick in the second half.

    Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa came up with a big stop in the 58th minute Tuesday. Mexico, meanwhile, dominated possession -- 61% to 39% -- and had 11 shots but couldn't break through.

    Lewandowski, one of his generation's great forwards, has not scored a World Cup goal in four matches.


    Fans show off team pride with crazy costumes

    Win or lose, you can always count on fans to show up -- often in the most outlandish outfits.

    -ABC News' Moe Zoyari


    US coach, captain try to avoid Iran flag controversy

    U.S. national team coach Gregg Berhalter tried to keep the focus on Tuesday's game at a press conference as he faced questions about why the U.S. team's Twitter account removed the Islamic emblem from Iran's flag in a post Sunday. He also insisted his team had no knowledge of the post.

    The U.S. soccer federation said it removed the logo to show support for those protesting in the country against authoritarian rule and its treatment of women.

    Berhalter tried to keep the focus on the uniting power of sports and the World Cup, even as Iran called for the U.S. to be kicked out of the World Cup for altering its flag.

    "Sport is something that should bring people together, bring countries together," Berhalter said. "When you look at the Olympics, to see all those countries competing at the same time, is a wonderful event. The World Cup is very similar, where people come from all around the world. Fans come from all around the world, and you get to compete on the field, as brothers, so sport does have the ability to do that."

    U.S. captain Tyler Adams was criticized by an Iranian reporter for mispronouncing "Iran," which he apologized for, and he was questioned about discrimination in the U.S., saying it is everywhere but there has been progress. But he also deflected attention back to the game.

    "Listen, we support Iran's people and Iran's team. But that being said, you know, we're laser focused on this match as they are as well," Adams, 23, told reporters. "We know how important this is for our progress of our team and what we want to do to prove to our country, you know, how hard we've been working. And we know they want to do exactly the same."

    The U.S. must defeat Iran Tuesday to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

    -ABC News' Karyn Rhodus