Has the USMNT ever reached a World Cup Round of 16? History of Americans in knockout stage

Sam Jarden

Has the USMNT ever reached a World Cup Round of 16? History of Americans in knockout stage image

When the U.S. Men's National Team takes the pitch against Iran on Tuesday, it will have a chance to clinch a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. 

That would be an impressive achievement for Gregg Berhalter's squad, which is among the least experienced in the field. It would also continue a pattern of the United States making it into the knockout stage of the tournament. 

MORE: USA vs Iran lineups, starting 11s

Despite having mixed success historically in the World Cup, the Yanks have qualified for the Round of 16 more often than you might think. Here's a list of all the times the USA has advanced out of the group stage:

When has the United States reached the World Cup Round of 16?

The USMNT has made it into the knockout stage of the World Cup on six occasions: 1930, 1934, 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014. 

MORE: Watch USA vs. Iran live with fuboTV (free trial) 

Notice the gap of 60 years between 1934 and 1994. That's in large part because the USA didn't qualify for the tournament at all from 1954 through 1986.

It's important to note that the knockout stage hasn't always been the Round of 16. In early versions of the tournament, the entire field was 16 teams or fewer. For the purposes of this list, however, each time the team has made it into the single-elimination bracket portion is being counted.

MORE: Updated 2022 World Cup bracket 

Here is how far the Americans have gone the six times they've reached the knockout stage. 

1930

The United States joined 12 other teams from around the world in Uruguay for the inaugural FIFA World Cup. The Yanks surprised many experts by easily winning their group thanks to 3-0 wins over Belgium and Paraguay. Winning the group sent them straight to the semifinals (the format worked a bit differently back then), where they were trounced 6-1 by Argentina. It remains the farthest the USA has advanced in the tournament. 

1934 

This one is a bit of a technicality. Only 16 teams played in the tournament, so there was no group stage. Instead, the competition began with the field matched up in single-elimination bracket format. The Americans drew tournament host Italy first and were routed 7-1 in Rome to be eliminated after one game. 

1994

After six decades, the USA finally made it back to the knockout stage. The Americans, who were hosing the tournament, beat Colombia 2-1 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan for their first World Cup win in 44 years. They finished third in their group but managed to qualify for the Round of 16 as one of the best third-place teams. They were eliminated by Brazil 1-0 on July 4. 

2002

A stunning 3-2 win against Portugal was enough to send the Americans to second in their group, which also included South Korea and Poland. Things got even better after Landon Donovan scored to help the USMNT earn a 2-0 win over Mexico in the Round of 16. That sent the team to the quarterfinals, where it lost 1-0 to a heavily favored German side. 

2010

The United States finished first in a group that included England, famously earning a draw against the Three Lions after a goalkeeping error by Rob Green. They were matched up with Ghana in the Round of 16 and lost 2-1 after an extra-time winner by Asamoah Gyan. 

2014

The USA's last World Cup appearance is best remembered for Tim Howard's legendary goalkeeping performance against Belgium in the Round of 16. Sadly, it ended in yet another extra-time defeat. The Yanks finished second in their group, behind Germany and ahead of Portugal and Ghana.

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.