The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is the largest in tournament history with 48 teams. As one of the hosts, the USMNT was automatically qualified and drawn into Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye.

When Does USA Play Next in the World Cup?

The group stage ran from mid-June, with the knockout rounds ongoing as of early July 2026.

Group Stage Results (Group D)

The USMNT enjoyed strong home support on the West Coast and advanced as group winners despite a final-match loss.

  • June 12, 2026: USA 4-1 Paraguay
    SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles), CA
    A dominant opening win showcased attacking firepower and set a strong tone for the tournament.
  • June 19, 2026: USA 2-0 Australia
    Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
    A solid defensive performance and clinical finishing secured progression to the knockout stage early.
  • June 25, 2026: Türkiye 3-2 USA
    SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles), CA
    The USMNT finished with a narrow defeat but still topped the group on goal difference and points.

Group D Standings Outcome: USA finished first, earning a favorable position in the expanded knockout bracket.

Knockout Stage So Far

  • Round of 32: July 1, 2026 – USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
    San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium), Santa Clara, CA
    A clean-sheet victory advanced the USMNT comfortably into the Round of 16.

Upcoming Match: Round of 16

USA vs. Belgium

  • Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
  • Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT (local time in Seattle)
  • Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
  • Broadcast: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish), and streaming options like FOX One or Peacock. olympics.com

This matchup offers revenge potential—the USMNT famously lost to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Belgium, a strong side with experienced players, topped their group, making this a challenging but winnable home-soil test for the Americans.

Potential Path Forward (as of July 3, 2026)

If the USMNT defeats Belgium:

  • Quarterfinals (around July 9-10): Likely vs. a strong European side (e.g., Spain or Portugal) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Further progress could lead to semifinals in mid-July and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The expanded format (with a Round of 32) gives more opportunities, but the competition intensifies quickly.

Final Word

This is the USMNT’s best opportunity in decades to make a deep run, playing most matches on home turf with massive crowd support. Past highlights include reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. A strong showing in 2026 could elevate American soccer on the global stage and inspire the next generation.

Whether the journey ends in Seattle or continues deeper into July, the 2026 World Cup represents a landmark moment for U.S. soccer. Go USA!

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