The USMNT's World Cup path: Every opponent, every obstacle, every outcome

The USMNT has advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup with two victories and one loss in group play, as of June 30, 2026. The article contextualizes this achievement against the backdrop of the US men's team's historically poor World Cup knockout record, having won only one knockout match in all of World Cup history. The piece outlines the path ahead for the USMNT as they navigate the elimination rounds of the tournament being held on home soil.