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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Uruguay and South Korea draw 0-0

Uruguay and South Korea did not score any goals in their first appearance in the 2022 World Cup, ending the game with a 0-0 draw.

The two other teams in the group, Portugal and Ghana, are also facing off today.


Uruguay takes on South Korea

The match between Uruguay and South Korea has kicked off in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

This match is the first one featuring teams from Group H, the last group not to have played yet in Qatar 2022. The other two teams, Ghana and Portugal, will play later today.


Switzerland defeats Cameroon 1-0

Cameroon-born Swiss star Breel Embolo scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute shortly after the half as Switzerland defeated Cameroon in the first game of the World Cup for each squad in Group G.

Embolo, who plays for Ligue 1 club Monaco in France, refused to celebrate in what would be the only goal of the match and held up his hands after scoring before he was mobbed by his teammates in celebration.

Switzerland will next play Brazil on Monday while Cameroon will take on Serbia the same day.


Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon kicks off

The Swiss squad have not lost in their first match at a World Cup since 1966 -- a 5-0 defeat against Germany -- while Cameroon arrive at their eighth World Cup, the most among African nations.

The other two teams, Brazil and Serbia, will face each other at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.


White House won't comment on Iran flag flap

The White House declined to comment on the Iranian flag flap created by the U.S. Soccer Federation's removal of the Islamic emblem from a photo on the U.S. men's national team's Twitter account.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the White House would not have comment during a White House press briefing Monday afternoon.

"This isn't the kind of thing that you would -- that the White House would -- comment on," Kirby said at the briefing. "USA soccer is a private entity, and they make their own decisions about those kinds of things, and we wouldn't comment on that. We wish them all the best tomorrow."

Kirby also said he wasn't aware of any conversations or consultations involving anyone from the U.S. government about the U.S. Soccer Federation's decision to alter the flag.

The logo was later added back to the flag in the team's Twitter header. The federation had said it was done to support protesters in the country currently demonstrating against the totalitarian regime and its treatment of women.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky