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The United States national soccer team has qualified for Qatar’s World Cup, which will be played later this year. Making it to the finals is a huge achievement for a side that had been written off by many before a ball had been kicked in anger, but qualification proves soccer in the US is thriving, going from strength to strength. The boys are in Qatar and, having already caused a shock by getting there, they will be eager to ramp up their efforts and make it to the latter stages. Can America win the World Cup? Fans are beginning to realise there’s no harm in dreaming.
The Vegas bet online apps reacted quickly, offering odds on Team USA winning the World Cup for the first time, joining an honours list that already includes giants of the game such as Brazil, Spain and England. For many years, supporters passed off the USA’s lack of success in this tournament as not a big deal. Soccer isn’t anywhere near as popular in the US as in South America, Africa or Europe, but attitudes are changing.
The success of the USA women’s soccer team has cranked up the pressure on their male colleagues to do better and pull their weight at the sport’s biggest and best-loved competition. With the MLS thriving, bringing through a steady stream of young, ambitious soccer players, the sport in America has never been healthier. Despite the big kick-off in Qatar still being several months away, soccer lovers and those new to the game are beginning to ask an important question – why not?
What can we expect from Team USA at the World Cup, and what dates should you stick in your diary? This article provides readers will all the information they need to prepare for the World Cup. Whether you are travelling to Qatar to take in the match or plan to follow the boys’ progress on television, you’ll want to keep us close.
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Qatar 2022 dates and info
This will be the first World Cup to be staged in the Arab World and the first not to be held during the summer months. Games will be played between 21 November and 18 December with the move made to avoid the unbearable heat Qatar experiences during June and July. Summer soccer in the region could be deadly, even for the spectators, so organisers agreed to reschedule in a bid to keep the games as safe as possible for all involved.
The United States will play their first match of the World Cup on 21 November in Al Rayyan, with their second game just four days later. They round up the group stages with a game against Iran in Doha on 29 November, and the result of that match could decide if the nation progresses to the knockout stages or goes home.
Group stages
The tournament begins with the group stages, with each set made up of four teams, with the USA playing England, Iran and a yet to be confirmed the third opponent. The reason for the delay in deciding the other team in the group is the ongoing war in Ukraine and the nation’s playoff match against Scotland in Glasgow.
The winner of that one will meet Wales in Cardiff for a spot at the World Cup. At present, Team USA could be joined by Scotland, Wales or Ukraine, but we are no closer to that being decided. Talks are ongoing to secure a date of the playoff involving Ukraine and Scotland, but with several of the Ukrainian team fighting in the war, soccer fans must remain patient.
Can Team USA win the World Cup?
Will this USA team make history by becoming the first to win the World Cup? It’s possible at this stage, but traders working in Las Vegas won’t hold their breath. As it stands, America are expected to come through their group, finishing either as winners of the pool or behind favourites England. That would be a fine achievement.
If they do make it through to knockout football, then anything can happen. Fans have every right to dream about a huge effort in Qatar as 2022 could be the year Team USA wins the trophy and etches its name in history.
