How U.S. Men’s National Team can reach knockout stage of 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
The United States Men’s National Team played to a draw against England on Friday, a result that may have disappointed some after USMNT star Christian Pulisic, who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, had a pair of first-half opportunities to net a goal — including a left-footed strike that hit off the crossbar.
However, after drawing England 0-0 and playing Wales to a 1-1 tie, the path for the U.S. to escape Group B is fairly straightforward: Win and advance to the knockout stage.
The U.S. will next face Iran at 1 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Nov. 29. That game will be shown on Fox.
Earlier results around the group — England (4 points) defeating Iran and Iran (3 points) defeating Wales (1 point) — have left the U.S. (2 points) in third. But the United States will play its final group-stage game against Iran, meaning the winner of that game will be guaranteed a spot in the next round.
Should the U.S. and Iran draw, the United States would be eliminated. In that scenario, Wales would advance to the next round by defeating England, or Iran would advance should Wales fail to win.
If either the U.S. or Iran win, Wales would be eliminated — save for a miracle four-plus-goal victory over England. (Goal differential is the first tie-breaker.)
Currently, the standings for Group B are as follows:
England: 4 points, +4 goal differential
Iran: 3 points, -2 goal differential
U.S.: 2 points, 0 goal differential
Wales: 1 point, -2 goal differential
There is no remaining scenario by which the U.S. can advance without a win Tuesday.
The U.S. is hoping to make its first trip to the knockout stage since 2014 — as the men’s national team did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The last time the U.S. made the World Cup and did not advance to the knockout stage was 2006.
