The USMNT's 2026 FIFA World Cup journey ended in the round of 16 with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle on August 30, 2026. As the senior team's tournament concludes, U.S. Soccer has shifted focus to a packed September calendar for its youth and extended national teams.
How did the USMNT fare at the 2026 World Cup?
According to a tactical analysis from Squawka, the U.S. Team showed promise in the group stage. They opened with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay and followed it with a 2-0 victory against Australia. A rotated side then fell 3-2 to Turkey, but top spot in the group was already secured. The round of 16 saw a 2-0 win over Bosnia, with Folarin Balogun scoring before a controversial red card. The run ended against a strong Belgian side in Seattle. You can review the team's complete tournament statistics on our stats page.
What is the latest on FIFA's commercial plans?
The Globalist reported on August 30 that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's ambition to sell a stake in the World Cup to American investors was swiftly retracted after fan backlash. The outlet described it as part of a broader U.S. Campaign to reshape global football commercially. In related comments to the BBC, venture capitalist Joshua Kushner expressed regret over his involvement in the shelved FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme. "Had we known what this would devolve into, we would not have gotten involved," Kushner said, adding he had "failed to appreciate the political dynamics of global football."
What is next for U.S. Soccer's national teams?
U.S. Soccer's official website outlines a busy September for its development pathway. The U-16 and U-15 girls' and boys' national teams will hold concurrent training camps at the National Training Center in Georgia. The U-17 Women's National Team begins preparations for 2027 World Cup qualifying, while the U-18 and U-17 men's teams also have camps scheduled. Furthermore, the U-20 Women's National Team has arrived in Poland for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, opening their campaign against Italy on September 6. Check the upcoming matches for all U.S. Teams on our fixtures hub.
Which extended national teams are in action?
Four of U.S. Soccer's nine extended national teams will hold training camps this month. The U.S. Women's and Men's Beach Soccer National Teams will gather in September. The U.S. Men's CP National Team and the U.S. Power Soccer National Team are holding their final camps before major tournaments in October. This programming is part of the federation's increased focus on its youth development pathway, known as the U.S. Way.
The U-20 Women's World Cup group stage concludes for the USA with a match against New Zealand on September 12. The current senior USMNT roster is available to view on our squad page.
