It’s that time again, 2022 marks another four-year rotation for the World Cup! 

Football or soccer, whatever you want to call it there is no denying that this sport is the most played across the world. Audiences across the globe have their eyes fixed on the country of Qatar where the world’s biggest sporting tournament will take place. Politics and FIFA bureaucracies aside, fans are just excited to be able to root for their team once again. 

The World Cup group stages consist of eight groups of four teams each, making 32 teams in the tournament.

Each team will play matches against all opponents within their groups. Three points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw. The two teams with the most points within their group will advance to the round of 16.

Qatar 

The host country of Qatar has been eliminated after suffering three losses to Ecuador, Netherlands and Senegal. Team Qatar is guaranteed admittance into the tournament as host country and this is the first time ever the host country did not qualify for the round of 16.

USA 

This is the first U.S. appearance since 2014 featuring a lot of new young names for the team. The U.S. won against Iran after drawing against Wales and England, just being able to slip into the next round. 

The general mood here in the States is sheer awe that the team did not lose. Especially against the powerhouse in England . Nevermind winning the match, at least the team was able to face off against them and hold their own. 

Regardless, hopes are higher than ever before for the stars and stripes as the team features the talented names of Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and Christian Pulisic, the teams team’s crown jewel.

Pulisic is a 24-year-old player from Hershey, Pennsylvania. He currently plays for Chelsea, one of the most elite pro clubs in the world. 

Pulisic played for the U.S.’ under-15 and under-17 squads before officially representing the country’s official team in 2016 at 18 years old. 

He is undoubtedly the U.S.’ singular player whose name raises eyebrows even in the eyes of the world’s best players. 

Social media absolutely EXPLODED amidst the commotion of the U.S. victory over Iran allowing advancement into the next round. But a singular post caught the eyes of many. 

One word summarizes what all the excitement is about, hope. For the first time in a long time, there is hope. Hope that U.S. soccer will be able to compete with the likes of England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France and others.

The U.S. is still light years away from being able to rival the best teams in the world, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. 

The U.S. squared off against the Netherlands on Saturday in a win-or-go-home match, hope might go down the drain for this year as the team loses 3-1, but don’t be mistaken, the future is bright for the U.S. national team.

France 

The reigning World Cup champs are certainly a team to look out for, but they are suffering many injuries to N’golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema. 

Still, this team is still strong and deserves all respect from its competitors. Led by the stellar Kylian Mbappé, the French team will advance to the round of 16 and face Poland. 

The question remains, is this team still lethal enough to make a deep run and possibly defend their title?

Here are the 16 teams who earned themselves spots in the next round:

From Europe: Netherlands, England, France, Croatia, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland. 

From The Americas: The United States, Argentina and Brazil. 

From Asia: Japan and South Korea 

From Africa: Morocco and Senegal. 

The Australian team will advance as well. 

The competition will only get stiffer as the round of 16 features single-elimination matches, the road from here on out will only get progressively difficult and a tie will no longer be satisfactory. More World Cup soccer awaits and the world is itching for it.