World Cup 2022 Team Preview - USA

USA' odds to win the World Cup

100/1

Best World Cup

Quarter-final 2002 

2018 World Cup

Second round

USA's World Cup Schedule

• Read a full Group B summary here

Road to Qatar

USA's passage to the finals was not quite as smooth as in previous campaigns, winning just half of their 14 qualifying games and suffering defeats in Panama, Canada and Costa Rica. Their ticket to Qatar might have been in doubt without crucial results against fellow qualifiers, Mexico, whom they beat 2-0 at home before drawing 1-1 away, and although they ultimately only pipped Costa Rica (who went on to beat New Zealand in a playoff) by a single point, they had already secured their spot with a game to spare.

Recent form

USA are going through something of a transitional stage and that is illustrated by the mixed fortunes that their young squad have experienced in recent months. Convincing wins against Morocco (3-0) and Grenada (5-0) will have boosted confidence no end, although September's 2-0 defeat to Japan and their subsequent failure to score in a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia indicates that more incisiveness in the final third will be required against the likes of Iran, Wales and England.

USA World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City), Matt Turner (Arsenal)

Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds Utd), Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles), Tyler Adams (Leeds Utd), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle)

Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyspor)

Team insights

Probable formation: 4-3-3 Under Greg Berhalter, USA have built their game on a straightforward but fluid 4-3-3 set-up that is capable of pressing their high-tempo game on their opponents high up the pitch. A game plan built on forcing possession makes them a dangerous prospect on the break, while their young squad won't be short of energy and could cause some headaches for tiring defenders late in a game. Although appearing out of first-choice favour at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic remains USA's most dangerous attacking option, and he will be keen to make an impact, especially if looking to move on from his London club. With just nine US-based players in the squad, the rest of the line-up is made up of players plying their trade in Europe and the EPL. Of those, exciting young midfield prospect, Brenden Aaronsen, could find the perfect stage for his talents, having already caught the eye in the Premier League since his summer move from Salzburg to Leeds United.

World Cup prospects

USA are a team in transition and this World Cup is likely to come too soon in their development to harbour serious hopes of going deep into the tournament. While they'll remain a potential banana skin for England, Wales and Iran to negotiate, it's difficult to see them having the quality to finish above two of those opponents in the final group table. Best hope: Last 16 if the stars (and stripes) align 

Read more about each of USA's Group B opponents:

Wales, Iran, England