World Cup: United States team profile

bet365 News Team Updated: Nov 18 2022 09:43 Published: Sep 21 2022 16:40

As one of the nations hosting the 2026 World Cup, the USA will be looking to put down a marker with their performances at the Qatar World Cup.

A side that appear to be on the rise after missing out on the last World Cup in Russia, the USA are hoping to put themselves on the map when it comes to the international stage.

What	World Cup
Where	Qatar
When	20th November - 18th December 2022
How to watch	All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV
Odds	Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1

What is the USA's World Cup record?

The USA featured at the very first World Cup in 1930 and actually managed to finish in third place in the major competition in Uruguay.

Topping their group thanks to 3-0 wins over both Belgium and Paraguay, the US were comprehensively beaten 6-1 by Argentina in the semi-finals.

The USA reached the round of 16 in the following tournament in 1934, before featuring at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil where they failed to make it past the group stage.

It was to be 40 long years before the USA were to feature at their next World Cup, as they qualified for Italia 90 and then hosted the World Cup in 1994.

The USA reached the round of 16 on home soil but were edged out 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brazil's Bebeto at Stanford Stadium.

Qualifying for all of the following five World Cups, and even reaching the quarter-final stage at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea, the USA have been regular features at this major tournament.

Position	Year
Semi-finals	1930
Quarter-finals	2002
Last-16	1934, 1994, 2010, 2014
Group Stage	1950, 1990, 1998, 2006

After missing out on Russia 2018, the Stars and Stripes will be hoping to make a statement with their comeback in Qatar this winter.

How did the USA qualify?

The USA managed to reach the 2022 World Cup after finishing in one of the Concacaf's three automatic berths alongside Canada and Mexico.

Costa Rica, who beat the USA 2-0 in their final group game, finished just outside the automatic spots but managed to beat New Zealand in a play-off to reach the World Cup finals.

Related Group B News

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World Cup - Football: Wales team profile

Who is in the USA's group?

The USA were drawn in Group B and will take on 2018 semi-finalists England, Iran and Wales.

The United States start their World Cup campaign on 21st November when they face Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

A win for the USA in their opening game is currently available at 6/4, with a draw at 11/5 and a victory for Robert Page's Wales at 15/8.

The USA next face their toughest test against Gareth Southgate's England on 25th November at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium once again, before completing their group fixtures against Iran at Al Thumama Stadium four days later.

Who is the USA's manager?

Gregg Berhalter is the current manager of the USA after taking on his first national team manager role with the Stars and Stripes in 2018.

The former USA defender had previously cut his teeth as a manager in the Swedish top-flight with Hammarby in Stockholm, before joining Columbus Crew SC in 2018.

Berhalter has won two honours with the national team, claiming the Concacaf Nations League in the 2019-20 season before winning the Concacaf Gold Cup last year.

Who is the USA's star player?

A player struggling for game time at his club but still a key figure for his country, Christian Pulisic looks set to play a major role for the US team in Qatar.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from Chelsea after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

His role with the national side remains unquestioned though and his movement in attack is likely to give the likes of England, Iran and Wales something to think about in the Group B clashes.

Who could be the USA's breakout star?

A player just starting out his journey in the Premier League and one who seems to have a bright future ahead of him is Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson.

The 21-year-old, who is nicknamed the 'Medford Messi', made the switch from Red Bull Salzburg to Elland Road over the summer.

Already looking like an astute signing for the Whites, Aaronson's confidence on the ball and electric pace will make him an important figure for the USA in Qatar.

The attacking midfielder already has over 20 caps for his country but could really make a name for himself with some strong performances at this World Cup.

What is the USA's predicted line-up and tactics?

USA predicted line-up (4-3-3): Ethan Horvath; Reggie Cannon, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long; Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie; Christian Pulisic, Haji Wright, Timothy Weah.

Berhalter tends to use a 4-3-3 system with his side looking to play a high-tempo game with plenty of pressing.

The USA will be a danger on the counter-attack and that's something England and Wales will have to be aware of in Al Rayyan.

How far can the USA go in Qatar?

The USA will not be heading to Qatar to make up the numbers and will be confident they have the ability to make it through to the knockout stages.

On paper it looks like the Americans will be battling it out with Wales for that second qualifying spot, behind an England side that many will be tipping to top the group.

That opening game against the Welsh will be crucial and three points in that encounter will go a long way to securing a place in the round of 16, with the USA 1/1 to get out of their group.

If the USA lose that opening game then it will certainly be an uphill battle to make it through to the knockout stages.