For the third time in four appearances, the USMNT has qualified for the knockout stage at the World Cup.
A 1-0 win over Iran on Tuesday clinched a spot in the Round of 16 for the young American squad. It was an impressive achievement in its own right, but the team now has its sights set on a deep run in the knockout rounds.
From here on out, it's single elimination. Every game is win or go home. Each of the 16 remaining teams is four wins away from lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy, including the USA. You can find the full bracket here for details on every game.
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Here's a look at America's path ahead in the 2022 World Cup, including dates and possible opponents in each of the knockout rounds:
Who will the United States play in the World Cup knockout rounds?
Round of 16
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 3
- Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Opponent: Netherlands
- Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
The first matchup is already set. The United States will take on the Netherlands in the first game of the knockout stage on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. ET.
The Dutch have a strong squad that sits 8th in the FIFA world rankings. The USA and the Netherlands have never met in a FIFA competition, but the Americans actually won the last friendly match between the two nations — a 4-3 thriller in Amsterdam back in 2015.
Quarterfinals
- Date: Friday, Dec. 9
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Opponent: Argentina or Australia
- Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
If they make it past the Netherlands, the USA will move on to the quarterfinals. They would face the winner of the matchup between Group C winner Argentina and surprise Group D runner-up Australia.
A matchup with Lionel Messi and Argentina would be quite the occasion, but the Socceroos have surprised just in making it this far, so perhaps they have another miracle in them yet.
SN's predicted opponent: Argentina
Semifinals
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 13
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Opponent: TBD
- Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
This would be quite the incredible run for Gregg Berhalter's squad. If the team advances all the way to the final four, the semifinals matchup would take place on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
The list of potential opponents is long, but we know it would be a team from Group E, F, G or H. Brazil, arguably the favorite to win it all this year, is one of those possible teams. It's hard to see them crashing out before the semifinals.
SN's predicted opponent: Brazil
Finals
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 18
- Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Opponent: TBD
- Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
Could the Americans do the impossible and make a run to the finals? It definitely won't be easy. They'll have to get past at least three world-class teams to make it this far. However, if they do, the biggest match in the history of American men's soccer would take place on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. ET.
The potential opponent could come from any group in the tournament, which makes it extremely hard to predict at this point. However, three European juggernauts all have a clear path to the finals on this side of the bracket: England, France and Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo making a run to the finals in his last World Cup would be an amazing story, but France has looked the strongest of the three thus far.
SN's predicted opponent: France