When Does Team USA Play in the World Cup?

By Les Masterson

The World Cup kicks off Thursday afternoon as the focus of the world's soccer fans turns to Brazil.

The competition will begin with Brazil vs. Croatia at 4 p.m. Thursday. You'll have to wait until Monday for Team USA's first game, which is against Ghana. 

The U.S. will also play Portugal and Germany in the first round. The Americans are in the so-called Group of Death and will need to pull off upsets against powerhouses Portugal and Germany if they hope to get out of the first round. 

Get all the latest about the American team on the FIFA website.

Soccer experts are divided on who will win soccer's top prize this time. Defending champion Spain remains strong, but host Brazil has added some exciting young players, including Neymar. 

Some experts think this is the year for Lionel Messi and Argentina. 

Runners-up Netherlands hopes to rebound from its final game loss in 2010. 

Belgium, Germany and France are three other teams that may go far this year. 

Italy and England will battle it out in the first round in hopes of going deep into the tournament. 

Here is the full schedule with the U.S. games in bold: 

First Round

Tuesday, June 24

12 p.m.: Italy vs. Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas, Natal (ESPN)

12 p.m.: Costa Rica vs. England at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte (ESPN2)

4 p.m.: Japan vs. Colombia at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (ESPN)

4 p.m.: Greece vs. Ivory Coast at Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza (ESPN2)

Wednesday, June 25

12 p.m.: Nigeria vs. Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN)

12 p.m.: Bosnia Herzegovina vs. Iran at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN2)

4 p.m.: Ecuador vs. France at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN2)

4 p.m.: Honduras vs. Switzerland at Arena Amazonia, Manaus (ESPN)

12 p.m.: United States vs. Germany at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN)

12 p.m.: Portugal vs. Ghana at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN2)

4 p.m.: South Korea vs. Belgium at Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo (ESPN)

4 p.m.: Algeria vs. Russia at Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN2)

Round of 16

Saturday, June 28

12 p.m.: 1A vs. 2B at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte (ABC)

4 p.m.: 1C vs. 2D at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro (ABC)

Sunday, June 29

12 p.m.: 1B vs. 2A at Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza (ESPN)

4 p.m.: 1D vs. 2C at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN)

Monday, June 30

12 p.m.: 1E vs. 2F at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN)

4 p.m.: 1G vs. 2H at Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN)

Tuesday, July 1

12 p.m.: 1F vs. 2E at Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo (ESPN)

4 p.m.: 1H vs. 2G at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN)

Quarterfinals

Friday, July 4

12 p.m.: Round of 16 winners at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN2)

4 p.m.: Round of 16 winners at Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza (ESPN)

Saturday, July 5

12 p.m.: Round of 16 winners at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia (ABC)

4 p.m. Round of 16 winners at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN)

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 8

4 p.m.: Quarterfinal winners at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte (ESPN)

Wednesday, July 9

4 p.m.: Quarterfinal winners at Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo (ESPN)

Third-Place Game

Saturday, July 12

4 p.m.: Semifinal losers at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN)

Final

Sunday, July 13

4 p.m.: Semifinal winners at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro (ABC)