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Anticipation is growing around the USMNT as it continues to impress at this summer's World Cup.
The co-hosts have put together a remarkable run so far, highlighted by Wednesday's round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 2–0 win marked the first knockout stage triumph for the Stars and Stripes in 24 years, pushing them one step closer to an unimaginable title.
Mauricio Pochettino's squad has silenced the skeptics with three wins from four games, but a relatively manageable schedule is about to get considerably tougher. If the USMNT hopes to advance through the knockout rounds, it will need to overcome increasingly dangerous opponents.
Making it to the championship match on July 19 seems far-fetched, but soccer has a way of making the seemingly impossible happen.
Here's a look at the USMNT's potential path to the final.
Round of 16
The USMNT's next challenge is Belgium. Lumen Field will host the contest next Monday and despite the Europeans' strong reputation over the last decade, Opta actually gives Pochettino's side a slight edge to advance.
Belgium pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in its round-of-32 tie with Senegal, netting twice in the final moments to force extra time, during which they scored the latest goal in World Cup history through Youri Tielemans's 125th-minute penalty to reach the round of 16.
The Red Devils remain unbeaten this summer but have been well below their best, and were incredibly lucky to avoid an early exit on Wednesday.
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Quarterfinal
The USMNT is set to face a third straight European opponent in the knockout phase should it advance to the quarterfinal stage.
Most daunting is Spain, a potential adversary in the last eight. The reigning European champion has yet to hit top gear this summer, but Luis de la Fuente commands an outstanding squad packed with world-class players.
Austria, Spain's round of 32 opponent, is technically a possibility, though Ralf Rangnick's side are not expected to make it to the quarters.
A showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is also on the table, with the Seleção das Quinas having endured a underwhelming group stage in North America. Nevertheless, Portugal always poses a massive threat given the quality throughout their squad, and they would be heavy favorites against the USMNT in any matchup.
Croatia faces Portugal in the round of 32 and has a history of dramatically overperforming on the global stage. The 2018 runner-up and 2022 semifinalist would represent a serious danger to the USMNT.
Semifinal
A grueling path to the final is only expected to intensify at the semifinal stage, with France the most probable opponent if the USMNT can beat the odds.
Les Bleus have comfortably been the tournament's most polished side to date, winning all four of their matches and finding the net three or more times in each. A breathtaking attacking line commands attention, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise all thriving in North America.
France face giant-killers Paraguay in the round of 16, the South Americans having stunned Germany last time out despite suffering a 4–1 defeat to the USMNT in the group stage.
Neighboring co-host Canada is another potential semifinal opponent, though the chances of both nations reaching the last four are astronomically slim. That said, it would make for a captivating contest.
Canada is unlikely to advance past the round of 16, however, with Morocco up next. The 2022 semifinalist has already held Brazil and eliminated the Netherlands on penalties this summer, and has the ability to cause serious problems for France should they meet in the quarterfinals.
Final
Any nation on the opposite side of the World Cup bracket could stand in the USMNT's way in the final, but certain countries are more likely than others to go the distance.
Lionel Messi's Argentina has a relatively favorable path to the championship match and is driven by the prospect of back-to-back titles—a feat no team has accomplished since Brazil in 1962. La Albiceleste have cruised through three group stage victories and face Cabo Verde in their round of 32 fixture, after which they will meet either Australia or Egypt.
Brazil secured a late winner against Japan on Monday to keep their title hopes alive, and must now get past Norway in the round of 16. The Seleção would then face either Mexico or England, both of whom are enormously formidable opponents.
Switzerland, Algeria, Ghana and Colombia are unlikely to go all the way to the final, but the World Cup consistently delivers stunning upsets, meaning none of them can be completely ruled out.