1994 World Cup vs Germany
United States men's national soccer team World Cup history
The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) has participated in twelve editions of the FIFA World Cup, an international soccer competition contested by men's national teams representing members of FIFA. The tournament is held every four years by the top qualifying teams from the continental confederations under FIFA. The United States is a member of CONCACAF, which governs the sport in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and has the second-most World Cup appearances from the confederation behind Mexico.
Quick Facts
- Result
- N/A – Match did not occur
- Tournament
- 1994 FIFA World Cup – Group Stage (Group A)
Lore & Background
The United States participated in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and finished in the semifinals, which was later declared a third-place finish, their best result to date and the best-ever result for a non-European and non-South American nation. The tournament also featured the first hat-trick scored at a World Cup, awarded to American striker Bert Patenaude following recognition by FIFA in 2006. After the 1950 World Cup, in which the United States upset England in group play 1–0, the U.S. was absent from the tournament until 1990. The United States participated in every World Cup from 1990 through 2014, but did not qualify in 2018, marking the first time the team had missed a World Cup since 1986. They returned to the World Cup by qualifying for the 2022 edition and hosted the World Cup for the second time in 2026.
Reader's Guide
It also includes player records such as Tim Howard's record for most saves in a World Cup match (16) on July 1, 2014, and notes that Bart McGhee scored USA's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal on July 13, 1930, against Belgium. Own goals scored for opponents include Jeff Agoos (scored for Portugal in 2002). Media coverage details are provided for ABC and other networks from 1970 through 2010, including commentary teams and broadcast history.
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