At first glance, there is a clear favourite in Group B. England, one year removed from heartbreak in the EURO 2020 final, return to the biggest stage with a bevy of stars plying their trade at the top clubs in the Premier League.
And yet considerable doubts remain. Manager Gareth Southgate’s team selection has come under scrutiny and the injury to Chelsea standout Reece James leaves a major hole at wingback.
This uncertainty at the top of Group B opens the door for ‘The Other Guys.’ The United States suffered through a tumultuous qualifying campaign yet feature an intriguing cadre of young attackers that will give opponents problems. Wales and Iran have prematurely been relegated to the role of spoilers, but Gareth Bale and Mehdi Taremi could change that equation with one kick of the ball.
England, be warned.
Nov. 21: England vs. Iran (8 a.m. ET)
Nov. 21: USA vs. Wales (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 25: Wales vs. Iran (5 a.m. ET)
Nov. 25: England vs. USA (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 29: Wales vs. England (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 29: Iran vs. USA (2 p.m. ET)
ENGLAND
FIFA world ranking: 5
Top scorer in qualifying: Harry Kane (12 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +484 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: -308
Previous World Cup appearances: 15
Best showing: Champions in 1966
2018 World Cup: 4th place
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Probable formation: 3-4-3
Probable starting XI: Jordan Pickford (Everton) — Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City) — Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United) — Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Foden (Manchester City)
The Big Question: Will Harry Kane’s goal-scoring prowess be enough to power an England squad struggling to find form?
The Pulse: It’s been a long time since Bobby Moore’s side captured the World Cup at Wembley Stadium. Since then, England has been subject to plenty of mockery while failing to recapture the heights of Alf Ramsey’s ‘Wingless Wonders.’
That changed in 2018. The Three Lions, led by a then 24-year-old Harry Kane, advanced to the World Cup semifinals before falling to Croatia in extra time. That run was bettered three years later, but sadness prevailed again when Italy beat England on penalties in the EURO 2020 final. Though those defeats were bitter pills, reason for optimism remained. England was talented, young, and fearless.
Yet, we sit here today unsure about this team and, perhaps more accurately, unsure about manager Gareth Southgate. A series of poor results in the Nations League, including a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Hungary, increased the magnifying glass on Southgate. As England packs for Qatar, the decision to leave Fikayo Tomori at home in favour of a decidedly out-of-form Harry Maguire and an immobile Connor Coady has only furthered the belief that the manager is out of new ideas and that his time in charge is running out.
The X-factor: Kane is the obvious selection, but England will only go as far as the Spurs man can take them. His last goal from open play for his country came against San Marino last November. That’s a cause for concern.
The Breakout Candidate: Borussia Dortmund Wunderkind Jude Bellingham took the road less travelled. Several domestic suitors lined up for the 19-year-old after he starred for Birmingham City, but Bellingham opted for the Bundesliga. Since then, his stock has only increased, and the midfielder will command a huge transfer fee this summer after showing out in Qatar.
IRAN
FIFA world ranking: 20
Top scorer in qualifying: Sardar Azmoun (10 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +30,300 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +1,500
Previous World Cup appearances: 5
Best showing: Group Stage in 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018
2018 World Cup: 18th place (Group Stage)
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Probable formation: 4-3-3
Probable starting XI: Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal) — Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al-Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb) — Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle) — Karim Ansarifard (Omonia), Mehdi Taremi (Porto), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Big Question: We can expect Iran to defend well, led by a tournament-hardened manager in Carlos Queiroz, but can they score enough?
The Pulse: Rarely do you see a national team sack their manager after a successful qualification campaign, but that’s what Iran did. Following reports that some of his players wanted him out, Dragan Skocic was sacked in September and replaced by Carlos Quieroz, who has a wealth of experience at this level. He’s led South Africa, Portugal and Iran (twice) to the World Cup, and served as assistant manager for Sir Alex Ferguson — a resume bullet point that guarantees you a job for life.
Iran’s talent in attack, formed by Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun and Taremi, is formidable. The counterattack is where upsets are made.
The most important story to play out for this squad may come off the field. Protesters in Iran seeking justice for Mahsa Amini will hope to see their message amplified in Qatar. National team legends like Ali Daei and Ali Karimi have already spoken out. Will the current players feel it safe to do so?
The X-factor: Taremi’s falling out with the Skocic reportedly served as one of the reasons for the Croat’s departure. It’s understandable to see why the player won that power struggle. The Porto man bagged exactly the kind of late winner against Uruguay in a pretournament friendly that could lead Iran to an upset and three points.
The Breakout Candidate: Though he’s a household name in Leverkusen, more fans should know who Sardar Azmoun is. Eight years ago, he made his debut for the national team at 19. Today he’s one of Iran’s focal points. There is concern, however, that an injury could hamper the 27-year-old. Azmoun suffered a torn calf muscle in his right thigh in October and will be in a race against time to be fit.
UNITED STATES
FIFA world ranking: 16
Top scorer in qualifying: Christian Pulisic (5 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +9,000 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +536
Previous World Cup appearances: 10
Best showing: Semifinals in 1930
2018 World Cup: Did not qualify
Manager: Gregg Berhalter
Probable formation: 4-3-3
Probable starting XI: Matt Turner (Arsenal) — Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Walker Zimmeran (Nashville), Aaron Long (NY Red Bulls), Antonee Robinson (Fulham) — Yunus Musah (Valencia), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Weston McKennie (Juventus) – Brendan Aaronson (Leeds United), Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
The Big Question: Was a lackluster qualifying campaign indicative of a team that is destined to disappoint in Qatar?
The Pulse: The disaster that occurred in Couva five years ago left deep scars. The United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after falling 2-1 to an already eliminated Trinidad and Tobago. It was the first time since 1986 they failed at that juncture and the pitchforks came out swiftly. Bruce Arena stepped down and mainstays like Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore waved goodbye. It was time to usher in a new generation.
As we approached the 2022 qualifying campaign, several members of the new kids on the block — including Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Brendan Aaronson — followed Christian Pulisic’s path to Europe. Memories of the past, including that waterlogged pitch at Ato Boldon Stadium, faded.
But it wasn’t that easy. Berhalter’s charges struggled at times in the octagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying and the Americans finished third behind Mexico and Canada. The team’s recent form, including an upsetting display against Japan in a friendly, and Berhalter’s decision to leave Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen off the squad entirely, have created familiar angst amongst the fanbase.
The X-factor: The health of star midfielder Weston McKennie will be worth monitoring. While Juventus has been abysmal this season, McKennie’s performances thus far have been a welcome source of positivity. The 24-year-old is dealing with a quad injury but is expected to be ready for their opening clash with Wales on Nov. 21. Dortmund youngster Gio Reyna’s return to fitness makes a threatening USMNT attack from the wings that much more dangerous.
The Breakout Candidate: Yunus Musah was destined for this. He left for London at nine to join Arsenal’s academy and moved to Valencia at 16. In Qatar, he’ll join McKennie and Adams to form this side’s most exciting midfield in years.
WALES
FIFA world ranking: 19
Top scorer in qualifying: Gareth Bale (6 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +12,000 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +574
Previous World Cup appearances: 1
Best showing: Quarterfinals in 1958
2018 World Cup: Did not qualify
Manager: Rob Page
Probable formation: 3-4-2-1
Probable starting XI: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest) — Ethan Ampadu (Spezia), Joe Rodon (Rennes), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur) — Connor Roberts (Burnley), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) — Gareth Bale (LAFC), Daniel James (Fulham) — Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth)
The Big Question: The MLS Cup final was the latest example of Big Game Gareth Bale™ but can somebody ride shotgun with him to the knockout stage?
The Pulse: Rob Page’s squad did things the hard way while getting to the World Cup for the first time since 1958. Wales finished second in their group behind Belgium, and then beat Austria and Ukraine in the playoffs to secure their place in Qatar.
The common denominator in those huge matches was Bale. The 33-year-old’s bizarre conclusion to his time with Real Madrid overshadowed the fact he can still steal points against the run of play with his world class ability. The question for the Welsh will be who else can step up if Bale is swarmed by the opposition every time he encounters the ball. Aaron Ramsey is no longer in his prime, so the onus will fall on the youth in this setup.
The X-factor: There was a time, probably thanks to the Manchester United banter machine, when Dan James was viewed as the next big thing in the Premier League. A humbling came soon after, as did stints with Leeds United and now Fulham, but James remains an important player for a squad that will require his game-breaking pace.
The Breakout Candidate: Neco Williams’ introduction to the bigtime came during those heady days when Liverpool were Premier League untouchables. Then, the 19-year-old won an occasional place in the league winner’s starting XI. Now at Nottingham Forest he’s playing regularly, and for Wales, he’s a dynamo going forward in tandem with James.
Tyler Adams and Pulisic lead the United States to the top spot in Group B while England survives a push from Wales to qualify for the Round of 16.
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