USMNT has best World Cup finishes in 1930 and 2002
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 6:08 PM
Last updated Jun 12, 2026
The U.S. men's national team has qualified for 12 World Cups since 1930. The team finished third in the inaugural tournament in Uruguay, where only 13 teams participated. In the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan, the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Mexico in the round of 16. Since then, the U.S. has not moved past the round of 16 in subsequent tournaments, including a loss to the Netherlands in Qatar four years ago.
- •USMNT's best World Cup finishes are in 1930 and 2002.
- •In 1930, the U.S. finished third amid limited competition.
- •In 2002, the U.S. defeated Mexico but lost to Germany in quarterfinals.
- •The U.S. has not advanced past the round of 16 since 2002.
- •Last lost to the Netherlands in Qatar four years ago.
- 6:08 PMYahoo Sports — What is the USMNT's best World Cup finish?
"Depending how you view it, the best the U.S. has ever done at a World Cup came in one of two different editions of the tournament.
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