How many knockout games has the USMNT won in World Cup history?

The United States is looking to continue making history on home soil at the 2026 World Cup, and a win over Bosnia would end a long-standing knockout-stage drought.

SCOTT STRAZZANTE

Diego Gorostieta David Nelson

Estados Unidos Update: Jul 1st, 2026 17:44 EDT

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Under Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT achieved its first major objective of the tournament by finishing atop its group to reach the Round of 32, where it will face Bosnia on Wednesday (kick off 8 p.m. ET).

The mission is clear: advance to the Round of 16 and keep building momentum in front of home fans as the tournament enters its decisive stages.

What World Cup knockout games has the USMNT won?

To do so, however, the United States must overcome its own World Cup history. Aside from its victory over Mexico at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the USMNT has never won another knockout match at the tournament.

A victory over Bosnia would therefore become just the second knockout win in USMNT World Cup history and provide a major confidence boost for Pochettino’s squad.

In 2002 the USMNT beat Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 thanks to goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan and advanced to the quarterfinals. They then faced Germany who sent them home, running out 1-0 winners thanks to a Michael Ballack goal.

Tune in. Turn us up. pic.twitter.com/NXuznViXBY
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 1, 2026

USMNT record in World Cup knockout matches

Qatar 2022 - round of 16

Netherlands 3-1 United States

Brazil 2014 - round of 16

Belgium 2-1 United States

South Africa 2010 - round of 16

United States 1-2 Ghana

Germany 2006 - round of 16

Ghana 2-1 United States

Korea–Japan 2002 - quarterfinals

Germany 1-0 United States

United States 1994 - round of 16

Brazil 1-0 United States