Countdown 2026 World Cup Already turned on! Each day leading up to the event’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that shows just how big the world’s biggest sporting event has become—even beyond the expanded venues for this year’s global event.
The U.S. men’s national team will compete in its 11th World Cup this summer. The United States has become a regular participant since returning to the tournament in 1990, missing only one edition when it failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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But deep runs are rare.
Historically, the U.S. national team has gotten off to a strong start in the World Cup, finishing third in the first 12-team World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay. At that time, only the four top teams in the group advanced to the semifinals. The United States defeated Belgium and Paraguay in the group stage before losing to Argentina in the semifinals.
Early success did not lead to sustained momentum. The U.S. national team subsequently participated in two more World Cups – 1934 and 1950 – before beginning a four-year World Cup drought until Italy’s return in 1990.
Since 1990, the United States has advanced from the group stage five times, including reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. Overall, the United States has a record of 9 wins, 8 draws and 20 losses in 37 World Cup games.
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At the most recent World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the United States went 1-2-0 in the group stage but was eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.
Now, with the tournament set to return home in 2026, the next step for Team USA is clear: make another knockout tournament even more exciting.