The United States Men's National Team has a familiar pattern at the World Cup: reaching the knockout rounds, only to face a swift exit. As the team prepares for its eighth elimination match in 12 World Cup appearances this Wednesday against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, history suggests a challenging path forward. The USMNT has secured a victory in the knockout stage only once, during the 2002 tournament.
This year's expanded 48-team format introduces an additional layer of elimination play, with the first knockout round now comprising 32 teams. This means the Americans will need to overcome an extra hurdle to advance further in the competition.
