The opponents for the USMNT in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have been set, with them landing of England, Iran, and either Scotland, Wales or Ukraine as their opponents in Group B.
The just-completed draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has set the three teams that the U.S. will play in the group stage, as they try to advance to the knockout stage, whereas head coach Gregg Berhalter says, anything can happen.
The Americans were placed in “Pot 2” of the draw, meaning they were able to avoid any group-of-death scenarios that would have included the other heavyweights in the same Pot such as Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay or 2018 finalists Croatia.
Still, the Americans must still deal with likely group favorites England, who reached the final of the 2020 European Championship in summer 2021, where they famously lost to Italy on penalties.
The Stars and Stripes faced off against the Three Lions in the 2010 World Cup, where the teams battled to a 1-1 draw, with Steven Gerrard and Clint Dempsey trading first-half goals. Both teams eventually advanced from the group, where they were both beaten in the Round of 16.
Additionally, the other two teams rounding out the Americans’ group are Iran and the winner of UEFA’s “Path B” qualification route, which will be either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. This final opponent will be determined in June.
The United States and Iran faced off in the 1998 World Cup in France, in a game which was won by the Iranians by a 2-1 margin.
The third team is a bit of a wild card. Ukraine and Scotland must still play to determine who will face Wales for the final UEFA spot in Qatar. Those games are set to take place on dates yet to be determined in June.
The path to the final on December 18 in the “Lusail Iconic Stadium” was also set in the draw. While the permutations of opponents in the entire knockout stage are vast should the Americans advance past the first round, the foes in the Round of 16 will come from Group A, who contain hosts Qatar, favorites Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador.
American archrivals Mexico were drawn into Group C alongside Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia, meaning that fans will have to wait until the quarterfinals for the chance at seeing another World Cup dos-a-cero result.
The tournament gets underway on November 21 in the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.
