The United States men’s national team is headed back to the World Cup, but before they go to Qatar, they have some business to handle in CONCACAF as the Nations League draw saw them placed with El Salvador and Grenada in League A Group D.
The tournament, which was first announced in 2017 and commenced in 2019, will again serve as qualification for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the top two finishers in each League A groups, as well as the group winners in League B qualifying directly for next summer’s confederation championship.
With the World Cup being staged later this year in Qatar, the Nations League gives some players, who are on the bubble for consideration for the USMNT roster, a chance to make an impression on head coach Gregg Berhalter as he his staff prepare for the tournament.
As for the coach, he is relishing the opportunity to
“El Salvador demonstrated in World Cup Qualifying that they are a formidable opponent, and Grenada proved they are an up-and-coming squad after winning their group in the last tournament and gaining promotion to League A,” he said in a statement on the U.S. Soccer website. “This format provides a valuable opportunity to gain experience in away games in our region, and we’re looking forward to the chance to defend our Concacaf Nations League title.”
The schedule has not been set, but the U.S. will begin defense of their title in group play in June.
The Americans won the inaugural Nations League last year with a 3-2 win over regional rivals Mexico.
