What Is 2019 US World Cup team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The United States did not have a men's team at the 2019 FIFA World Cup because the U.S. Men's National Team failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament, and there was no men's World Cup in 2019. However, the U.S. Women's National Team won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, defeating the Netherlands 2–0 in the final on July 7, 2019.

Key Facts

The U.S. Women's National Team won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France
The final match was held on July 7, 2019, at Stade de Lyon
The U.S. defeated the Netherlands 2–0 in the final
Megan Rapinoe scored one goal and won the Golden Boot with 6 goals
The U.S. became the first nation to win four Women's World Cup titles (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019)

Overview

The year 2019 was a landmark for U.S. soccer, but not for the men’s team. The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking the first absence since 1986, and thus had no presence in any men's World Cup in 2019. However, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) achieved historic success by winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

This victory solidified the USWNT as the most successful team in Women's World Cup history. The tournament took place from June 7 to July 7, 2019, across nine cities in France. The U.S. team demonstrated dominance throughout, winning all seven of their matches to claim their fourth title.

Championship win: The U.S. won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup by defeating the Netherlands 2–0 in the final on July 7, 2019, at Stade de Lyon, with goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.
Historic achievement: This victory made the United States the first nation to win four Women's World Cup titles, surpassing Germany and Norway, who each had two.
Tournament performance: The U.S. team won all seven matches in the tournament, scoring 26 goals and conceding only 3, the best goal difference of any team.
Individual accolades:Megan Rapinoe won the Golden Boot with 6 goals and the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, while goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded 5 clean sheets.
Global impact: The final drew over 1 billion viewers worldwide, and the team’s victory sparked widespread celebration and renewed debate on equal pay in sports.

How It Works

The FIFA Women's World Cup is held every four years and features 32 national teams competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The 2019 edition expanded from 16 to 24 teams, increasing global participation and competitive depth.

Format: The tournament featured 24 teams divided into six groups of four, with the top two from each group and the four best third-place teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Qualification: The U.S. qualified automatically as defending champions from 2015 and topped Group F with wins over Thailand, Chile, and Sweden.
Knockout stage: The U.S. defeated Spain, France, and England in the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, respectively, showcasing strong defensive and offensive balance.
Key players:Carli Lloyd and Julie Ertz anchored midfield, while Christen Press and Alex Morgan contributed key goals, with Morgan scoring 6 goals in the tournament.
Coaching leadership: Head coach Jill Ellis led the team to back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2019, becoming the first coach to achieve this feat in Women's World Cup history.
Host nation: France hosted the tournament across 9 cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Nice, with 52 matches played and over 1.1 million total attendance.

Comparison at a Glance

The U.S. Women's 2019 World Cup victory stands in contrast to the men's team's absence from recent tournaments. The table below compares key metrics:

Category	USWNT 2019	USMNT 2018 (Failed to Qualify)
World Cup Participation	Qualified and won	Failed to qualify
Final Result	Champions (defeated Netherlands 2–0)	Did not participate
Goals Scored	26 in 7 games	N/A
Head Coach	Jill Ellis	Bruce Arena (at time of failure)
Global Rank (FIFA)	#1 during tournament	#20 in October 2017

This contrast highlights the divergent trajectories of U.S. men's and women's soccer. While the women's team dominated globally, the men's program faced restructuring after missing the 2018 World Cup, impacting development and visibility.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Women's World Cup victory had far-reaching implications beyond sports. It amplified conversations about gender equity, inspired a new generation of female athletes, and elevated the profile of women's soccer globally.

Equal pay advocacy: The team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit in March 2019, demanding equal pay and conditions compared to the men's team.
Record viewership: The final was watched by over 1 billion people, making it one of the most-watched soccer events of the year.
Youth inspiration: Participation in girls' soccer programs in the U.S. rose by 12% in the year following the win, according to U.S. Soccer Federation data.
Commercial success: The team's jerseys became the best-selling U.S. soccer kit in history, with over 500,000 sold post-tournament.
Global influence: The win boosted FIFA’s investment in women’s soccer, leading to the announcement of a expanded 32-team format for the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Legacy: Head coach Jill Ellis retired after the win, leaving a legacy of back-to-back championships and a foundation for future success under new leadership.

The 2019 U.S. Women's World Cup team not only brought home a trophy but also redefined the cultural and athletic landscape of American soccer, proving that excellence on the field can drive change far beyond it.