U.S. Set To Play England & Iran In Group Stage Of 2022 World Cup

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

The United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) World Cup group is set and will prepare to face England, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the winner of the playoff match between Ukraine, Scotland and Wales.

“We’re excited about our group and we’re looking forward to getting started on our preparations,” says U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter. “I think overall, there are some difficult groups across the board. In our group in particular, we have England, who is a very strong team, and we have two opponents that we need to go deeper on. We don’t really know Iran that well, and then we have the unknown of who wins the UEFA Playoff. We won’t know that until June, but it’s exciting. We’ll be waiting on the edge of our seats to see who advances.”

USA qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2014 after drawing against Mexico, beating Panama and losing to Costa Rica. The USMNT has found some redemption these past fews years, winning both the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup in 2021.

Christian Pulisic. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

This USMNT is the youngest team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the average age being 24. The team will be led by up-and-coming Chelsea superstar Christian Pulisic who has five goals, the most on the squad. Pulisic won the UEFA Champions League with EPL team Chelsea in 2021.

Nashville SC defenseman and two-time MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman has been one of the strongest forces for the USMNT and was named captain before the team’s matchup against Costa Rica.

The U.S. will play the winner of Ukraine, Scotland, and Wales on Monday, Nov. 21; England on Friday, Nov. 25; and Iran on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Steven Boero