USA World Cup Knockout Bracket: Which Teams Could USMNT Face in the Round of 32?

The United States men's national team has secured a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup with two decisive wins in the group stage. With a vital game against Turkiye scheduled for Friday night, they are poised to lock in first place in Group D, regardless of the outcome. Mauricio Pochettino's team has been impressive, and a point will essentially seal their top spot.

As the top team in Group D, the USMNT will face off against the best third-place team from Group A, E, H, I, or J. Let's take a closer look at the potential opponents.

In the World Cup knockout bracket, the probability of facing a specific third-place team is difficult to determine, given the numerous permutations. However, based on the available data, the most likely opponent for the USMNT would be the third-place team in Group B.

Group B includes Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar. With Canada and Switzerland leading the pack and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar struggling to get their campaigns back on track, the winner of their upcoming match is a strong candidate to face the USMNT in the round of 32.

However, it's worth noting that this is an educated guess, rather than a definitive prediction. Other third-place teams could still emerge, potentially including Colombia, Ghana, Spain, Austria, Germany, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Brazil.

If the USMNT survives the round of 32, their next challenge would likely come against Belgium. This matchup would provide a thrilling narrative for the Americans, as they seek revenge for the USMNT's 2014 World Cup exit at the hands of the Belgians in extra time.

An intriguing scenario could unfold if Spain recovers from their surprise draw against Cape Verde and progresses to the round of 16. A showdown between USMNT and Spain would be a mouthwatering clash.

The road to the World Cup title would be paved with challenges for the USMNT, should they advance deep into the tournament. A potential draw could put them against some of the World Cup favorites, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Brazil, in the quarterfinals.

While this might be a tall order for the USMNT, their impressive performance thus far suggests that they should not be underestimated. If they continue to ride this momentum, anything is possible in the knockout stage.

As the World Cup progresses, the stage is set for some of the sport's greatest moments. The USMNT's journey will undoubtedly provide its own brand of drama and excitement, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the end.

This article was originally published on FanSided.