USA at World Cup 2026: Group Stage Schedule, Path to Final, 4th of July Game

The United States men's national team knows its path to glory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after learning its group stage opponents, which stadiums it will play at, and the times for the games. 

But there are some questions we want answered. Who are the team's opponents? How could Christian Pulisic and Co. reach the final on July 19? We have you covered. 

JUMP TO: Schedule/Opponents | Path to World Cup final? | Fourth of July Game? | History, Best Finish

When is the World Cup?

The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays.

What is USA's World Cup Schedule? Who are the Opponents?

The United States discovered its three opponents at the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The United States' three group stage games will be as follows:

June 12 vs. Paraguay — at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, 9 p.m. ET 

June 19 vs. Australia — at Seattle Stadium, 3 p.m. ET

June 25 vs. Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo — at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, 10 p.m. ET

How can the USA Reach the World Cup Final?

With their group-stage dates known, we can map out the USA's road to the final. There are in total five scenarios for the team to reach the final.

If the USA wins Group D:

Round of 32 match – July 1 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California

Round of 16 match – July 6 at Seattle Stadium

Quarterfinals match – July 10 at Los Angeles Stadium

Semifinals match – July 15 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Final – July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

If the USA finishes second in Group D:

Round of 32 match – July 3 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Round of 16 match — July 7 at Atlanta Stadium

Quarterfinals match – July 11 at Kansas City Stadium

Semifinals match – July 15 at Atlanta Stadium

Final – July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

How Can the USA Play a World Cup Game on Fourth of July? 

Only if the United States doesn't finish first or second in Group D and instead reaches the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-place teams. So it's a tricky road. But here are the scenarios for seeing the U.S. play on Independence Day in Philadelphia. 

Scenario 1

Round of 32 match — June 29 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Round of 16 match — July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium

Quarterfinals match – July 9 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Semifinals match – July 15 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Final – July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Scenario 2

Round of 32 match — June 30 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Round of 16 match — July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium

Quarterfinals match – July 9 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Semifinals match – July 15 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Final – July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Scenario 3

This scenario doesn't have them playing on July 4 but still advancing as a third-place team: 

Round of 32 match — July 3 at Kansas City Stadium 

Round of 16 match — July 7 at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada

Quarterfinals match – July 11 at Kansas City Stadium

Semifinals match – July 15 at Atlanta Stadium

Final – July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

What’s the USA World Cup History and Best Finish?

The United States has appeared in 11 FIFA World Cups: qualifying in 1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994 (hosts), 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The 2026 edition will be their 12th appearance and the second time the team hosts the event (this one alongside Canada and Mexico).  

The United States' best-ever finish came in the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, where they reached the semifinals. Since no third-place match was held that year, FIFA officially lists the United States as finishing in third place.

In the modern era, the team’s most notable run occurred in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals. The U.S. defeated Portugal in the group stage and beat Mexico 2–0 in the Round of 16 before narrowly falling 1–0 to Germany in a match remembered for a missed handball call.