World Cup 2022: USA vs Wales Match Preview
Wales will play their first World Cup final tournament in 64 years and they will face the USA in Al Rayyan in their Group B opener.
In the meantime, the US are back at the World Cup finals after missing the 2018 tournament.
Now, let’s have a closer look at this match, what to expect from it, who has better chances to win, etc.
World Cup 2022, Group Stage, Group B, USA vs Wales
21 November, 2022, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
World Cup 2022: USA National
The U.S. team played in 11 FIFA World Cups, including the first in 1930, where they reached the semi-finals. They returned in 1934 and 1950, defeating England 1–0 in the latter, but did not qualify again until 1990.
As host in 1994, the U.S. received an automatic berth and lost to Brazil in the round of sixteen. They qualified for the next five World Cups. The U.S. reached the quarter-finals in 2002.
USA Squad for the World Cup 2022
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergiño Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan
Forwards: Jesús Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright
USA’s Group B fixtures
Nov. 21, USA vs Wales
Nov. 25, USA vs England
Nov. 29, USA vs Iran
World Cup 2022: Wales National
Wales has entered all the World Cups since 1950, but has only qualified for two finals tournaments, in 1958 and 2022. In 1958, they reached the quarter-finals and lost to eventual winners Brazil.
Wales Squad for the World Cup 2022
Coach: Rob Page
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies
Defenders: Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Tom Lockyer, Ben Cabango, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Chris Gunter, Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Matthew Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell, Smith, Dylan Levitt, Jonny Williams, Sorba Thomas, Rubin Colwill
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore, Dan James, Mark Harris
Wales’s Group B fixtures
Nov. 21, Wales vs USA, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Nov. 25, Wales vs Iran, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Nov. 29, England vs Wales, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
World Cup 2022 USA vs Wales: Predictions
The USA will start what they hope to be a successful run against Wales. They missed out on the 2018 tournament, but they have a young and talented team with hunger to win.
Wales also should be wildly motivated, as it’s their first World Cup in 64 years. Wales made the quarterfinals in 1958, while the USA have reached the knockout round 4 times.
The USA had an up-and-down qualifying run but a 0-0 draw with Mexico and an emphatic 5-1 victory against Panama secured them a spot.
Wales beat Austria 2-1 in a UEFA qualifying playoff semifinal then pulled off a 1-0 victory in an emotionally charged final against Ukraine.
The USA are considered to have a bit more chances to win the match. Though, it’ll be tough, as Wales will do everything to win their 1st World Cup match in 64 years.
What do you think, how will this match end? Let us know in the comments!
