When was last USA World Cup knockout round win? Team history for 2026

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAYThu, July 2, 2026 at 12:09 AM UTC

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The 2026 World Cup round of 32 could feature a result 24 years in the making for the United States men's national team.

It is a major day for the USMNT as it plays in the knockout round of the tournament on its home soil, facing Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1. It's a stage the U.S. were expected to make, but after winning its group in impressive fashion, there's optimism for a deep run into the bracket − and one that hasn't been done in quite some time.

If the USMNT is able to keep its World Cup run going in the round of 32, it will break a decades-long streak, and keeps it on the path for a deep run in this tournament.

When was the last USA knockout round win?

The U.S. is aiming to win its first knockout round match since the 2002 World Cup, 24 years ago. The last knockout round win was in the round of 16 in that tournament against Mexico. It later lost in the quarterfinals to Germany.

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Since then, the U.S. has lost three consecutive knockout round matches, all in the round of 16: 2010, 2014 and 2022.

What is the furthest USA has gone in the World Cup?

It's been nearly 100 years since the U.S. best finish in the World Cup. In the 1930 edition, the first ever World Cup, it finished in third place.

In the 11 total World Cups USMNT has been in, it has one semifinal appearance, one quarterfinal appearance and four round of 16 appearances.Here is the full list of how far the U.S. has gotten in World Cup history:

1930: Third place (semifinal)

1938: Withdrew

1934: Round of 16

1950: Group stage

1954-1986: Did not qualify

1990: Group stage

1994: Round of 16

1998: Group stage

2002: Quarterfinals

2006: Group stage

2010: Round of 16

2014: Round of 16

2018: Did not qualify

2022: Round of 16

2026: TBD

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When was last USMNT World Cup knockout round win? Full USA history

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