As World Cup draws go, the United States men’s national team didn’t get the toughest assignment for the 2022 World Cup, but it’s also far from easy.
The U.S. finds itself in Group B with England, Iran and the winner of the playoff in UEFA that involves Wales taking on the winner of the semifinal in that pod between Scotland and Ukraine.
Based on FIFA’s rankings, which need to be taken with a grain of salt, Iran is the lowest-ranked team in Group B at No. 21. The fourth-ranked team in every other group has a worse ranking.
Being drawn against England brings up memories of when the two sides met in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. The American’s managed a draw that helped propel them into the knockout stages. Same again please!
Iran stormed through the last round of Asian qualifying, losing just once (to South Korea, away) in the final round to top its group. With the two teams meeting in the last match of the first round, it could be the decider for the U.S., which lost to Iran in the 1998 tournament.
Wales has a lot of talented young Premier League players sporting the part-time stylings of Gareth Bale, who mostly plays golf for Real Madrid, making just five appearances this season, but is still devastating for his country. Scotland appears a little less dangerous without a Bale capable of pulling goals out of nowhere, but held England to a 0–0 draw at the Euros in the group and possesses a midfield that could make life hard for the U.S. Ukraine made the quarterfinals of that tournament before falling to England, but its only wins came against Sweden and North Macedonia. Wales is surely favored; it has a talented team and is already halfway there, but if Ukraine gets to continue in the tournament, then it seems foolish predicting what they may or may not be capable of on paper.
Important World Cup Dates
Determining the World Cup Roster
In the final weeks leading up to the World Cup, all 32 participating countries will be required to finalize and submit their final roster to FIFA. The due date for submission as well as the number of players who will represent the United States are still to be determined.
Players Released by Clubs
Once USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter names his roster, the players traveling to Qatar will be released by their clubs on November 14. With just over a week from the start of the tournament, players will report to training camp as fine-tuning begins and travel together to Qatar in the subsequent days.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup
On November 21, it finally begins. After a long wait and with a set roster, confirmed groups, and a mission to change the way the world views American soccer, the USMNT will return to the world’s biggest stage in Qatar, ready to represent our country in the best way possible while always looking in one direction: Only Forward.
US Men’s Team 2022 Schedule and Tickets
June
June 1: USMNT v Morocco – Cincinatti OH – Buy USMNT Tickets
June 5: USMNT v Uruguay – Kansas City KS – Buy USMNT Tickets
June 10: USMNT v Grenada – Austin TX – Buy USMNT Tickets
USA 2022 World Cup Schedule and Tickets
November 21: USA v UEFA Playoff – Buy World Cup Tickets
November 25: USA v England – Buy World Cup Tickets
November 29: USA v Iran – Buy World Cup Tickets
November 25: USA v England – Buy World Cup Tickets
November 29: USA v Iran – Buy World Cup Tickets
