• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

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.
6:38
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
USMNT players talk about knock-out loss to Netherlands in World Cup
By Mark Osborne, Jon Haworth, Nadine El-Bawab, Patricio Chile, Kevin Shalvey, Alexandra Svokos, Kiara Alfonseca
Last Updated: December 5, 2022, 1:03 PM

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.

Key headlines:

  • Team USA looks forward to 2026: ‘Really bright’ future
  • US defeated by Netherlands 3-1, out of the World Cup
  • US-Netherlands kicks off knockout round Saturday
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Dec 05, 2022 1:03 PM

Team USA looks forward to 2026: ‘Really bright’ future

Members of Team USA are already looking ahead to 2026, when North America will host the next World Cup.

“The future’s really bright for this team,” defender Walker Zimmerman said on “Good Morning America” on Monday.

He added, “So many players from different backgrounds that creates a really unique mix of players. To have the youth that we have -- to have young players playing at high-level teams, we’re going to be coming back stronger in 2026.”

PHOTO: Walker Zimmerman and Kellyn Acosta appear on "Good Morning America," on Dec. 5, 2022.
ABC News
Walker Zimmerman and Kellyn Acosta appear on "Good Morning America," on Dec. 5, 2022.
ABC News

There were highs and lows in Qatar, he said, but it was the honor of a lifetime to play in the World Cup.

Midfielder Kellyn Acosta agreed, saying playing in Qatar had been a “childhood dream become a reality.”

Both said they’d watched footage of fans cheering them back on in the USA. “We appreciate the support,” Acosta said.

But, Zimmerman said, it’ll be nice to be on “home soil” in 2026.


Dec 03, 2022 9:12 PM

Argentina heads to round of 8 after defeating Australia

Argentina is headed to the round of 8 after defeating Australia 2-1 in the knockout round.

The win sends Argentina to a quarterfinal match with the Netherlands on Friday. Whichever team wins will proceed to the semifinals.


Dec 03, 2022 4:59 PM

US defeated by Netherlands 3-1, out of the World Cup

The U.S. is out of the World Cup after losing 3-1 to the Netherlands in Saturday's knockout round match.

U.S. player Haji Wright's goal in the second half was not enough to hand the team a win. The Netherlands will now move on to the final eight.

Argentina and Australia will face off later Saturday. The winner of that match will play against the Netherlands in the final eight.



Dec 03, 2022 3:55 PM

Netherlands leads US 2-0 at halftime mark

At the halftime mark, the Netherlands leads the U.S. 2-0 in the knockout round match.

The winner of the match will move on to the final eight. The loser will go home.


Nov 28, 2022 10:26 PM

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."

PHOTO: Gregg Berhalter, head coach of United States, reacts during the USA Press Conference at Main Media Center on Nov. 28, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Gregg Berhalter, head coach of United States, reacts during the USA Press Conference at Main Media Center on Nov. 28, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

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


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in living

PHOTO: School supplies are displayed on shelves at an Office Depot on June 22, 2026 in Cedar Park, Texas.

2026 back-to-school sales tax holidays are here: See when and where

July 22, 2026
PHOTO: An injured bald eagle was rescued in California's Big Bear area after it was seen in a fight with two other eagles, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Viral bald eagle presumed to be Jackie in 'critical' condition after fight with other eagles

July 22, 2026
PHOTO: Fig, an Australian shepherd, recently reunited with her family in California after going missing for 10 days.

Dog missing for 10 days shares emotional reunion with family

July 21, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News