The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) have participated in eleven 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.
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. 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 first time the team had missed a World Cup since 1986. They returned to the World Cup by qualifying for the 2022 edition.
Overall record
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | |
| 1930 | Semifinals | 3rd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | Squad | Qualified as invitees | ||||||
| 1934 | Round of 16 | 16th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Squad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1938 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
| 1950 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | Squad | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | |
| 1954 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | |||||||||
| 1958 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 21 | ||||||||||
| 1962 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
| 1966 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 1970 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 9 | ||||||||||
| 1974 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||
| 1978 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||
| 1982 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||
| 1986 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 1990 | Group stage | 23rd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | Squad | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |
| 1994 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | ||||||
| 1998 | Group stage | 32nd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Squad | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 27 | 14 | |
| 2002 | Quarterfinals | 8th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | Squad | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 11 | |
| 2006 | Group stage | 25th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 11 | |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Squad | 18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 42 | 16 | |
| 2014 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 14 | ||
| 2018 | Did not qualify | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 16 | |||||||||
| 2022 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 10 | |
| 2026 | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | ||||||||||||||
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| 2034 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Semifinals | 12/23 | 37 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 40 | 66 | — | 168 | 84 | 40 | 44 | 287 | 191 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out
| United States' World Cup record | |
|---|---|
| First match | United States 3–0 Belgium (July 13, 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) |
| Biggest win | United States 3–0 Belgium (July 13, 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) United States 3–0 Paraguay (July 17, 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) |
| Biggest defeat | Italy 7–1 United States (May 27, 1934; Rome, Italy) |
| Best result | Third place in 1930 (0 titles) |
| Worst result | Group stage in 1934, 1950, 1990, 1998 and 2006 |
By match
By opponent
Czechoslovakia and FR Yugoslavia results listed under Czech Republic and Serbia respectively.
| FIFA World Cup matches (by team) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Wins | Draws | Losses | Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
| Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Argentina | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Chile | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Colombia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| England | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Germany | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Ghana | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Italy | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Poland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Romania | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Slovenia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| South Korea | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wales | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Results
Uruguay 1930
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 4 | Advance to the knockout stage |
| 2 | Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 | |
| 3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 |
All times local (UYT)
| United States | 3–0 | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Patenaude 10', 15', 50' | Report |
Semifinals
Italy 1934
Round of 16
Brazil 1950
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Advance to final round |
| 2 | England | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3 | Chile | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 2 | |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 2 |
| Chile | 5–2 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Robledo 16' Cremaschi 32', 60' Prieto 54' Riera 82' | Report | Wallace 47' Maca 48' (pen.) |
Italy 1990
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy (H) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Czechoslovakia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | |
| 3 | Austria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 | |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 0 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
| United States | 1–5 | Czechoslovakia |
|---|---|---|
| Caligiuri 60' | Report | Skuhravý 26', 78' Bílek 40' (pen.) Hašek 50' Luhový 90+3' |
United States 1994
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romania | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 | United States (H) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | Colombia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 |
Ranking of third-placed teams
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | F | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | A | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | E | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 | B | Russia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | C | South Korea | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 |
| United States | 1–1 | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Wynalda 44' | Report | Bregy 39' |
Round of 16
France 1998
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Yugoslavia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | |
| 3 | Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
| United States | 1–2 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| McBride 87' | Report | Estili 40' Mahdavikia 84' |
South Korea–Japan 2002
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea (H) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Poland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 |
All times local (UTC+9)
| South Korea | 1–1 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Ahn Jung-hwan 78' | Report | Mathis 24' |
| Poland | 3–1 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Olisadebe 3' Kryszałowicz 5' Żewłakow 66' | Report | Donovan 83' |
Round of 16
Quarterfinals
Germany 2006
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Ghana | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
South Africa 2010
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | England | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | |
| 3 | Slovenia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | Algeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 |
All times local (UTC+02)
| Slovenia | 2–2 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| United States | 1–0 | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Round of 16
Brazil 2014
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 4 | |
| 4 | Ghana | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 1 |
Round of 16
| Belgium | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Qatar 2022
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 7 | Advanced to knockout stage |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | |
| 3 | Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 3 | |
| 4 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 1 |
| United States | 1–1 | Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Knockout stage
- Round of 16
Record players
| Rank | Player | Matches | World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landon Donovan | 12 | 2002, 2006, 2010 |
| 2 | Cobi Jones | 11 | 1994, 1998, 2002 |
| Earnie Stewart | 11 | 1994, 1998, 2002 | |
| DaMarcus Beasley | 11 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 | |
| 5 | Brian McBride | 10 | 1998, 2002, 2006 |
| Claudio Reyna | 10 | 1998, 2002, 2006 | |
| Clint Dempsey | 10 | 2006, 2010, 2014 | |
| 8 | Tab Ramos | 9 | 1990, 1994, 1998 |
| Eddie Pope | 9 | 1998, 2002, 2006 | |
| 10 | Marcelo Balboa | 8 | 1990, 1994, 1998 |
| Eric Wynalda | 8 | 1990, 1994, 1998 | |
| Michael Bradley | 8 | 2010, 2014 | |
| Tim Howard | 8 | 2010, 2014 |
Tim Howard world record On July 1, 2014, Howard was named man of the match, despite the United States losing 2–1 to Belgium after extra time in the round of 16. During the match, he broke the record for most saves in a World Cup match with 15. After breaking this record, his performance was celebrated worldwide on the internet, with the hashtag #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave trending on Twitter.
Top goalscorers
| Player | Goals | 1930 | 1934 | 1950 | 1990 | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 | 2006 | 2010 | 2014 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landon Donovan | 5 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
| Clint Dempsey | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Bert Patenaude | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||
| Brian McBride | 3 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
| Michael Bradley | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| John Brooks | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Jim Brown | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Paul Caligiuri | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Aldo Donelli | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Tom Florie | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Joe Gaetjens | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Julian Green | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Jermaine Jones | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Joe Maca | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Clint Mathis | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Bart McGhee | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Bruce Murray | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| John O'Brien | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Gino Pariani | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Christian Pulisic | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Earnie Stewart | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Frank Wallace | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Timothy Weah | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Haji Wright | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Eric Wynalda | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Own goals | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Total | 40 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Own goals scored for opponents
- Jeff Agoos (scored for Portugal in 2002)
Media coverage
ABC
FIFA World Cup on ABC is the branding used for presentations of the FIFA World Cup produced by the American Broadcasting Company television network in the United States. ABC first broadcast World Cup matches in 1970, when they aired week-old filmed highlights shown on ABC's Wide World of Sports. ABC next broadcast the 1982 FIFA World Cup Final. Beginning in 1994, ABC was the official American network broadcaster of the World Cup up through 2014. ABC also broadcast the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1999 and 2003; Fox took over the American World Cup TV broadcasts in 2011, which took effect in 2015.
1970
The first American telecast of a World Cup match was when NBC aired the final between England and West Germany from four years prior. NBC there, aired the contest on a same-day tape delay using the BBC’s black-and-white feed.
In 1970, it was ABC's turn to broadcast the World Cup final. While ABC aired the contest between Italy and Brazil in color unlike what NBC did in 1966, ABC decided to wait until Christmas, six months after Brazil won, to show it as part of an episode of Wide World of Sports.
1982
In 1982, PBS and ESPN provided the first thorough American television coverage of the FIFA World Cup. ABC aired the first live telecast of the final. ABC aired commercials during the live action. Meanwhile, PBS aired same day highlights of the top game of the day.
- Commentators
- Giorgio Chinaglia (studio analyst)
- Paul Gardner (color commentary)
- Mario Machado (color commentary)
- Jim McKay (play-by-play)
- Jack Whitaker (studio host)
1994
The 1994 FIFA World Cup marked the return of the World Cup on ESPN and ABC and the first time they used their own commentary teams for all matches. Roger Twibell and Seamus Malin were the lead broadcast team. Al Trautwig and Rick Davis were the secondary broadcast team. Other play-by-play announcers were: Bob Carpenter Bob Ley, Ian Darke, Randy Hahn, and Jim Donovan. Other color commentators were: Clive Charles, Ty Keough, Peter Vermes, Ron Newman, and Bill McDermott. Jim McKay was the studio host alongside studio analyst Desmond Armstrong only for games on ABC.
The 1994 American coverage had many firsts: The first with all of the matches televised, the first with no commercial interruptions during live action, and the first to feature an on-screen score & time box.
1998
In 1998, all 64 matches were televised in the United States live for the first time. Bob Ley and Seamus Malin was the lead broadcast team with other broadcast teams include: Roger Twibell and Mike Hill, JP Dellacamera and Bill McDermott, Derek Rae and Ty Keough, and Phil Schoen and Tommy Smyth. Brent Musburger and Eric Wynalda worked in the studio.
2002
Unlike in 1998, when ESPN and ABC paid $20 million for the broadcast rights to the World Cup, the English-language rights for the 2002 and 2006 editions were sold instead to Major League Soccer for $40-50 million. Through an agreement with the Walt Disney Company, ESPN and ABC would air both tournaments at no cost, while MLS would cover production costs and sell advertisements via its newly-created marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing.
In 2002, 59 matches were broadcast live, along with 5 rebroadcasts on ABC, with coverage from Japan and South Korea carried live in the American late night graveyard slot.
Hockey play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards and Ty Keough were the lead broadcast team and called the games live in South Korea and Japan. Other broadcast teams were: JP Dellacamera and Tommy Smyth, Glenn Davis and Shep Messing, and Mike Hill and Shep Messing, and Seamus Malin, however, they were based at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Terry Gannon hosted in the studio alongside studio analysts Eric Wynalda and Giorgio Chinaglia.
2006
The 2006 coverage from Germany was fully live as well. Dave O'Brien joined Marcelo Balboa on the lead broadcast team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage on ESPN and ABC Sports, despite having no experience calling soccer matches prior to that year. Because The Walt Disney Company, owner of both television outlets, retained control over on-air talent, the appointment of O'Brien as the main play-by-play voice was made over the objections of Soccer United Marketing, who wanted JP Dellacamera to continue in that role. Disney stated that their broadcast strategy was intended, in voice and style, to target the vast majority of Americans who do not follow the sport on a regular basis. Mispronunciation and incorrect addressing of names, misuse of soccer terminology, and lack of insight into tactics and history plagued the telecasts, resulting in heavy criticism from English-speaking soccer fans, many of whom ended up watching the games on Univision instead.
Other broadcast teams included: JP Dellacamera and John Harkes, Glenn Davis and Shep Messing, Adrian Healey and Tommy Smyth, and Rob Stone and Robin Fraser. Brent Musburger returned for his 2nd World Cup as lead studio host with other hosts Rece Davis, and Dave Revsine. Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Julie Foudy, and Heather Mitts were the studio analysts.
2010
The 2010 coverage from South Africa introduced ESPN 3D for 25 matches. ESPN's coverage of the 2010 World Cup has been widely recognized as a breakthrough in U.S. soccer broadcasting. Esteemed commentator Martin Tyler and Efan Ekoku led a team of all-British commentators in South Africa. Chris Fowler and Mike Tirico were the lead hosts in a studio set right outside of Soccer City in South Africa. Other broadcast teams were: Ian Darke and John Harkes, who called USMNT games, Derek Rae and Robbie Mustoe, Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist, and Jim Proudfoot and Roberto Martínez. Studio analysts were: Steve McManaman, Jurgen Klinsmann, Martínez, Ruud Gullit, Alexi Lalas, Shaun Bartlett, and Tommy Smyth. Bob Ley was another studio host, working his 4th World Cup. Reporters were: Jeremy Schaap (United States and Final), Julie Foudy, Allen Hopkins, Rob Stone, Selema Masekela, Andrew Orsatti (Australia), John Sutcliffe (Mexico), and Dan Williams
2014
The 2014 World Cup marked the end of the FIFA World Cup on ABC and ESPN. Ian Darke, Steve McManaman, and Taylor Twellman was the lead broadcast team, Jon Champion and Stewart Robson were the #2 team. Other play-by-play announcers were: Derek Rae, Adrian Healey, Daniel Mann, and Fernando Palomo. Color commentators: Craig Burley, Efan Ekoku, Roberto Martínez, Kasey Keller, and Alejandro Moreno. All commentators were in Brazil with the top 5 teams at the stadiums while the remaining team called matches off monitors in Rio. Mike Tirico was the lead studio host alongside other hosts Bob Ley and Lynsey Hipgrave with analysts: Alexi Lalas, McManaman, Michael Ballack, Moreno, Keller, Gilberto Silva, Santiago Solari, Martínez, Twellman, and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Reporters included: Jeremy Schaap (Lead), Julie Foudy, Bob Woodruff, John Sutcliffe, Rubens Pozzi.
The 2014 coverage was available on mobile devices and tablets via the WatchESPN application, as well as on Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles, live and on-demand, via the ESPN on Xbox Live application.
NBC
FIFA World Cup on NBC is the branding used for presentations of the FIFA World Cup produced by the NBC television network in the United States. NBC was the official American network television broadcaster for the international soccer competition in 1966 and 1986.
1966
The first American coverage of the World Cup consisted only of a previously filmed telecast of the 1966 Final on NBC. The Final was aired before their coverage of the Saturday Major League Baseball Game of the Week. NBC used the black & white BBC feed and aired it on a two-hour film delay. This was the first time soccer had been shown in the United States as a stand-alone broadcast. Previously, ABC's Wide World of Sports had shown England's Football Association Cup on as long as a two-week delay.
1986
On October 6, 1984. NBC's anthology series, SportsWorld provided World Cup soccer qualifying coverage featuring the United States and the Netherlands Antilles.
1986 marked the first time that the World Cup had extensive live cable and network television coverage in the United States. ESPN carried most of the weekday matches while NBC did weekend games. NBC aired seven matches, including the "Hand of God" quarterfinal, with broadcasters on-site. NBC's theme music for their 1986 coverage was Herb Alpert's "1980", from his 1979 album Rise. It was originally a cue meant for the ill-fated 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics broadcasts. Meanwhile, ESPN aired about 25 matches that year, all with broadcasters in studio.
NBC's producers were forced to run the games' audio feed through telephone lines rather than through satellites. This was because the International Broadcast Center in Mexico City crossed up many communication lines. Consequently, various countries received commentary from others (or no sound or video at all). NBC in this case, received commentary from somewhere in Southeast Asia and so were forced to have Charlie Jones call collect and broadcast the Italy-Bulgaria opener via a handset telephone receiver. NBC lost the sound but still had video so Charlie Jones dialed collect again.
Commentators
- Don Criqui (studio host)
- Rick Davis (color commentary)
- Charlie Jones (play-by-play)
- Seamus Malin (studio analyst)
- Paul Gardner (color commentary)
Telemundo Deportes'
On October 22, 2011, Deportes Telemundo acquired the Spanish language rights to broadcast the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cup for around $600 million, replacing Univision as the tournament's Spanish language broadcaster, which began carrying the World Cup tournaments in 1970 (Fox acquired the English language U.S. broadcast rights through a separate agreement). The deal, which began with the 2015 Women's World Cup and runs through 2026, includes rights to associated FIFA-sanctioned tournaments (including the Men's Under 20 and Under 17 World Cups, and the Men's Beach Soccer World Cup), which will be telecast on Telemundo and NBC Universo; the deal was extended on February 12, 2015, to include rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On May 16, 2015, during Telemundo's 2015–16 upfront presentation in New York City, it was announced that Deportes Telemundo would be replaced by a new division initially known as NBC Deportes; the new division was formed as a branch of the English-language NBC Sports division, and be responsible for sports content for Telemundo, NBC Universo and related digital platforms. While it retained all existing sports telecast rights and programs aired by both Telemundo and NBC Universo, the latter network also began to expand its sports coverage, primarily in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics and the start of the division's contract with FIFA—whose first events included the 2015 U-20 World Cup and Women's World Cup.
Fox Sports
The English television rights to the FIFA World Cup have been held by Fox Sports since the 2018 edition and are set to run through 2026. The rights were originally set to expire in 2022, but that tournament's move to a November–December schedule prompted FIFA to award the 2026 rights to appease Fox, who had prior commitments to air other sporting events during the period. The 2022 World Cup broadcast was criticized for ignoring Qatar's human rights issues. Telemundo holds the Spanish television rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup in the United States; their contract was also renewed through 2026.