World Cup details
Format
Eight four-team groups play a round-robin schedule with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The United States is in Group G with Germany, Ghana and Portugal.
Key dates
Thursday: Tournament begins with host Brazil playing Croatia
June 16: United States vs. Ghana
June 22: United States vs. Portugal
June 26: United States vs. Germany
June 28-July 1: Round of 16
July 4-5: Quarterfinals
July 8-9: Semifinals
July 13: Championship
Defending champion
Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in overtime in 2010 in South Africa.