World Cup updates: Team USA looks forward to 2026

PHOTO: Head coach Gregg Berhalter and Christian Pulisic of United States react after their sides' elimination from the tournament during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA on Dec. 3, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.

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USMNT players talk about knock-out loss to Netherlands in World Cup

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.

MORE: Why the Qatar soccer World Cup is so controversial

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.

Nov 22, 2022 9:23 PM

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

Nov 22, 2022 9:06 PM

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.

PHOTO: France's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Australia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on Nov. 22, 2022.

Anne-christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images

France's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Australia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on Nov. 22, 2022.

Anne-christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: France's Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring during the World Cup group D soccer match between France and Australia, at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring during the World Cup group D soccer match between France and Australia, at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP

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.

Nov 22, 2022 6:09 PM

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.

PHOTO: Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts after having a penalty kick saved by Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa in their World Cup Group C matchup Nov. 22, 2002.

Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts after having a penalty kick saved by Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa in their World Cup Group C matchup Nov. 22, 2002.

Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Carl Recine/Reuters

Mexico's Hector Moreno in action with Poland's Jakub Kaminski in World Cup Group C, Nov. 22, 2022.

Carl Recine/Reuters

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

Nov 22, 2022 4:11 PM

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.

PHOTO: Iran supporters wait for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 21, 2022.

Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

Iran supporters wait for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 21, 2022.

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PHOTO: An Argentinian fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium, Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

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An Argentinian fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium, Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

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PHOTO: Fans attend the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, Nov. 22, 2022.

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Fans attend the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, Nov. 22, 2022.

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PHOTO: A Netherlands' supporter takes their seat for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Nov. 21, 2022.

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A Netherlands' supporter takes their seat for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Nov. 21, 2022.

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A Netherlands' supporter takes their seat for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Nov. 21, 2022.

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PHOTO: A fan of the team form Mexico watches during warm ups before the World Cup group C soccer match between Mexico and Poland, at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

A fan of the team form Mexico watches during warm ups before the World Cup group C soccer match between Mexico and Poland, at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

-ABC News' Moe Zoyari

Nov 25, 2022 5:45 PM

China gifts Qatar two pandas tasked with predicting game winners

Thuraya and Suhail are two pandas gifted to Qatar from China to celebrate their hosting the World Cup. Every day, they are tasked with predicting which countries will win that day's matchups.

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Qatari Pandas choose England to win the World Cup game on Nov. 25, 2022.

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Unfortunately, they are not given the opportunity to choose if the game will end in a draw. Their success rate so far stands at 33%.

Fans of the U.S. men's soccer team may hope this less-than-stellar rate holds as the pandas predicted this morning that England wins in the team's group stage match.