United States at the FIFA World Cup
The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) have participated in eleven editions of the FIFA World Cup, an international Football competition contested by men's national teams representing members of FIFA. The tournament is held every four years by the top qualifying teams from the continental confederations under FIFA. The United States is a member of CONCACAF, which governs the sport in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and has the second-most World Cup appearances from the confederation behind Mexico.
The United States participated in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and finished in the semifinals, which was later declared a third place finish, their best result to date. The tournament also featured the first hat-trick scored at a World Cup, awarded to American striker Bert Patenaude following recognition by FIFA in 2006. After the 1950 World Cup, in which the United States upset England in group play 1–0, the U.S. was absent from the tournament until 1990. The United States participated in every World Cup from 1990 through 2014, but did not qualify in 2018, marking first time the team had missed a World Cup since 1986. They returned to the World Cup by qualifying for the 2022 edition.
The current format of the World Cup involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup finals is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.
Overall record
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | Squad | Qualified as invitees | ||||||
1934 | Round of 16 | 16th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Squad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
1938 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
1950 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | Squad | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | |
1954 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | |||||||||
1958 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 21 | ||||||||||
1962 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
1966 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||
1970 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 9 | ||||||||||
1974 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||
1978 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||
1982 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||
1986 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||
1990 | Group stage | 23rd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | Squad | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |
1994 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | ||||||
1998 | Group stage | 32nd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Squad | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 27 | 14 | |
2002 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | Squad | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 11 | |
2006 | Group stage | 25th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 11 | |
2010 | Round of 16 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Squad | 18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 42 | 16 | |
2014 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 14 | ||
2018 | Did not qualify | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 16 | |||||||||
2022 | Round of 16 | TBD | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Squad | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 10 | |
2026 | Qualified as co-host | Qualified as co-host | ||||||||||||||
Total | Semi-finals | 11/22 | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 39 | 63 | - | 168 | 84 | 40 | 44 | 287 | 191 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out
United States' World Cup record | |
---|---|
First match | United States 3–0 Belgium (13 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) |
Biggest win | United States 3–0 Belgium (13 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) United States 3–0 Paraguay (17 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) |
Biggest defeat | Italy 7–1 United States (27 May 1934; Rome, Italy) |
Best result | Third place in 1930 (0 titles) |
Worst result | Group stage in 1934, 1950, 1990, 1998 and 2006 |
By match
By opponent
Czechoslovakia and FR Yugoslavia results listed under Czech Republic and Serbia respectively.
FIFA World Cup matches (by team) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opponent | Wins | Draws | Losses | Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Argentina | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Brazil | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Chile | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Colombia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
England | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Germany | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Ghana | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Italy | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
Mexico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Poland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
Romania | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Slovenia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
South Korea | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Spain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Switzerland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wales | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Results
Uruguay 1930
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 4 | Advance to the knockout stage |
2 | Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 | |
3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 |
All times local (UYT)
United States | 3–0 | Paraguay |
---|---|---|
Patenaude 10', 15', 50' | Report |
Semi-finals
Italy 1934
Round of 16
Brazil 1950
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Advance to final round |
2 | England | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
3 | Chile | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 2 | |
4 | United States | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 2 |
Chile | 5–2 | United States |
---|---|---|
Robledo 16' Cremaschi 32', 60' Prieto 54' Riera 82' |
Report | Wallace 47' Maca 48' (pen.) |
Italy 1990
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Italy (H) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Czechoslovakia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | |
3 | Austria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 | |
4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 0 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
United States | 1–5 | Czechoslovakia |
---|---|---|
Caligiuri 60' | Report | Skuhravý 26', 78' Bílek 40' (pen.) Hašek 50' Luhový 90+3' |
United States 1994
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Romania | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | United States (H) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
4 | Colombia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 |
Ranking of third-placed teams
Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | D | Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | F | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6 | |
3 | A | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
4 | E | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
5 | B | Russia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 3 | |
6 | C | South Korea | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 |
United States | 1–1 | Switzerland |
---|---|---|
Wynalda 44' | Report | Bregy 39' |
Round of 16
France 1998
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | FR Yugoslavia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | |
3 | Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
United States | 1–2 | Iran |
---|---|---|
McBride 87' | Report | Estili 40' Mahdavikia 84' |
South Korea–Japan 2002
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Korea (H) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | |
3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 | |
4 | Poland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 |
All times local (UTC+9)
South Korea | 1–1 | United States |
---|---|---|
Ahn Jung-hwan 78' | Report | Mathis 24' |
Poland | 3–1 | United States |
---|---|---|
Olisadebe 3' Kryszałowicz 5' Żewłakow 66' |
Report | Donovan 83' |
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Germany 2006
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Ghana | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | |
3 | Czech Republic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
South Africa 2010
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | England | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | |
3 | Slovenia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
4 | Algeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 |
All times local (UTC+02)
Slovenia | 2–2 | United States |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
United States | 1–0 | Algeria |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Round of 16
Brazil 2014
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 4 | |
4 | Ghana | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 1 |
Round of 16
Belgium | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | United States |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Qatar 2022
Group stage
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | |
3 | Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 3 | |
4 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 1 |
United States | 1–1 | Wales |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Knockout stage
- Round of 16
Record players
Rank | Player | Matches | World Cups |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Landon Donovan | 12 | 2002, 2006 and 2010 |
2 | Cobi Jones | 11 | 1994, 1998 and 2002 |
Earnie Stewart | 11 | 1994, 1998 and 2002 | |
DaMarcus Beasley | 11 | 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 | |
5 | Brian McBride | 10 | 1998, 2002 and 2006 |
Claudio Reyna | 10 | 1998, 2002 and 2006 | |
Clint Dempsey | 10 | 2006, 2010 and 2014 | |
8 | Tab Ramos | 9 | 1990, 1994 and 1998 |
Eddie Pope | 9 | 1998, 2002 and 2006 | |
10 | Marcelo Balboa | 8 | 1990, 1994 and 1998 |
Eric Wynalda | 8 | 1990, 1994 and 1998 | |
Michael Bradley | 8 | 2010 and 2014 | |
Tim Howard | 8 | 2010 and 2014 |
Tim Howard world record On July 1, 2014, Howard was named man of the match, despite the United States losing 2–1 to Belgium after extra time in the round of 16. During the match, he broke the record for most saves in a World Cup match with 15. After breaking this record, his performance was celebrated worldwide on the internet, with the hashtag #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave trending on Twitter.
Top goalscorers
Player | Goals | 1930 | 1934 | 1950 | 1990 | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 | 2006 | 2010 | 2014 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Landon Donovan | 5 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Bert Patenaude | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||
Clint Dempsey | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
Brian McBride | 3 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
Michael Bradley | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
John Brooks | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Jim Brown | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Paul Caligiuri | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Aldo Donelli | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Tom Florie | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Joe Gaetjens | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Julian Green | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Jermaine Jones | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Joe Maca | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Clint Mathis | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Bart McGhee | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Bruce Murray | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
John O'Brien | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Gino Pariani | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Christian Pulisic | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Earnie Stewart | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Frank Wallace | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Timothy Weah | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Eric Wynalda | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Own goals | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Total | 39 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
Own goals scored for opponents
- Jeff Agoos (scored for Portugal in 2002)
Media coverage
The English television rights to the FIFA World Cup have been held by Fox Sports since the 2018 edition and are set to run through 2026. The rights were originally set to expire in 2022, but that tournament's move to a November–December schedule prompted FIFA to award the 2026 rights to appease Fox, who had prior commitments to air other sporting events during the period. The 2022 World Cup broadcast was criticized for ignoring Qatar's human rights issues. Telemundo holds the Spanish television rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup in the United States; their contract was also renewed through 2026.