With the ’22 World Cup starting soon, let’s take a look at Team USA’S Group B opponents

The United States Men’s National Team is in Qatar preparing for its opening World Cup match — the team’s first in a World Cup since July 2014.

Bouncing back to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after falling short in 2018, the American squad landed in a tricky group. It’s not a “group of death,” like the U.S. saw in 2014 or 2006, but it doesn’t exactly figure to be a walk in the park, either.

Let’s take a look at the USMNT’s three opponents in Group B:

Wales

Match 1 — 1 p.m. Central Time Monday

Wales’ FIFA world ranking: 19th

Key players: Gareth Bale, Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies.

The lowdown: Wales boasts a fair number of players with experience in the English Premier League and Championship, as well as the Scottish Premiership. James is a speedy winger with a nose for goal. Brennan Johnson and Moore are Premier League forwards who will cause problems in the box.

But there is no danger like Bale. While not at the peak of his career anymore, he can always make an impact. Wales scored 17 goals in World Cup Qualifying, six from Bale. As Bale goes, so goes Wales.

Bale hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since March, but he’s still found ways to affect matches, as his substitute appearance in the MLS Cup final attests.

To beat Wales: The USMNT must keep Bale from influencing this match too heavily. Wales has other talent, too, but keeping Bale off the score sheet is essential for the American side.

England

Match 2 — 1 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 25

England’s FIFA world ranking: 5th

Key players: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham.

The lowdown: Honestly, most of England’s squad could be listed as key players. They’re deep, strong and loaded with talent. It is undoubtedly the USMNT’s most challenging game before the knockout round.

Most of this England squad was part of the team that made the 2018 World Cup semifinals and finished runner-up at the Euros last year. They are physical and fast with no significant weaknesses.

While England remains favored by many to win the whole thing, results in the past couple of months — including two losses to Hungary in June — remind us that any team is beatable. That said, it would be shocking if the Brits don’t win Group B.

To beat England: The USMNT needs to play a perfect game. They must be resolute in defense and clinical with the chances they get. It will be tough sledding in this one, to be sure, but never say never. Fun fact: England has never beaten the USA in the World Cup.

Iran

Match 3 — 1 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 29

Iran’s FIFA world ranking: 20th

Key players: Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

The lowdown: Only a handful of this team’s players compete in leagues that are well-known by the international footballing community.

But the Iranians have some quality in the attack: Taremi is a star forward with FC Porto in Portugal, with 13 goals and eight assists in 19 appearances this season; Azmoun is a talented young player on his way back from injury; and Jahanbakhsh played well in the Premier League and Championship before moving to Holland this season.

And then there is Iran’s manager, Carlos Queiroz, who has coached in multiple World Cups with Portugal and Iran. His style isn’t pretty, but it is effective.

To beat Iran: The USMNT must rely on what it learned in CONCACAF road games during World Cup qualifying. Managing smaller battles within the game — and the antics and defensive tactics that Iran will no doubt employ — will be beneficial to the Americans in this game.

This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 2:04 PM.