The United States has been drawn in Group B towards England, IR Iran and the winner of the final remaining European playoff for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, whereas Mexico will face Lionel Messi‘s Argentina.
The final group within the USMNT’s group shall be determined in June as both Scotland or Ukraine will face Wales for the ultimate European spot on the World Cup.
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Mexico has been drawn in Group C and can face Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia, whereas Canada will face Belgium, Morocco, Croatia in Group F.
The USMNT will play their match opener towards the winner of the European playoff on Nov. 21, earlier than going through England on Nov. 25 and IR Iran on Nov. 29.
If the U.S. qualify from their group, they may then play both the winner or the runner-up from Group A (Qatar, Senegal, Ecuador and Netherlands) within the spherical of 16.
Gregg Berhalter’s facet clinched one in every of CONCACAF’s three computerized qualification locations on Wednesday regardless of a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica.
The 48-year-old coach shall be taking cost of his first World Cup as U.S. boss. He was employed in December 2018, simply over 12 months after the nation’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
“We think it’s a good group — we know every opponent in the World Cup is difficult, but with England you get an exciting match up, with Iran it’s a diverse opponent and they’ve done well in qualifying and then we’ll have to wait to see who the third opponent is,” Berhalter told the BBC.
“Overall pleased with the group and excited to get started.”
The U.S. and England have historical past at World Cups. In 1950, the U.S. delivered one of many greatest upsets in World Cup historical past when it shocked the heavily-favored English 1-0 on a objective by Joe Gaetjens. The pair met once more on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, enjoying to a 1-1 draw with Clint Dempsey scoring the equalizer for the U.S. after Steven Gerrard’s opener.
The U.S. and Iran have squared off as soon as beforehand on the 1998 World Cup, with Iran claiming a memorable 2-1 win that had the impact of eliminating the U.S. from the match.
When requested about England supervisor Gareth Southgate, Berhalter mentioned: “We go way back and he’s a guy that I look up to and has always been there for me — always giving me advice.
“After I first took the job as nationwide group coach, I look to him as a mentor and have numerous respect for what he is doing. I’m wanting ahead to competing towards England. I reached out to him once I acquired the job and requested if he’d be serious about telling me extra about worldwide soccer and being the man Gareth is, he was very happy to have these conversations and we have saved in contact.”
Mexico will begin their tournament against Poland on Nov. 22, before playing Argentina on Nov. 26 and Saudi Arabia on Nov. 30.
Weeks of speculation over the future of Mexico head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino was ended on Friday when the country’s Football Federation announced he will stay in charge until at least the World Cup.
A string of lackluster results for Mexico and issues with Martino’s vision had caused doubt over his position as boss, but Mexico eventually finished second in World Cup qualifying, booking their place in Qatar.
Mexico and Argentina have had some memorable encounters, including a pair of round of 16 matches at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Argentina prevailed in both matches, winning 2-1 in extra time in 2006 and 3-1 four years later.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said: “We have gotten a bunch with troublesome rivals. We all know Mexico, a very good rival with good gamers. I feel we are able to have a very good group part however we most respect for our opponents.”
Canada kick-off their tournament against Belgium on Nov. 23, before facing 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia on Nov. 27 and Morocco on Dec. 1.
Canada, who came first in the CONCACAF qualification group, last appeared at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where it lost all three of its games and failed to score a goal.
The tournament will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, the first time football’s top prize has been competed for in the Middle East.
