Soccer fans can’t officially allow the complete excitement of the FIFA World Cup until your nation reveals its 26- man team. The excellent news for USMNT fans, their squad has been announced.
As we’re now ten days away from the inaugural Qatar 2022 group stage opening game, and the USA line-up has been revealed, it’s time to put a few crates on ice and count down the days until the most prestigious sporting event on earth kicks off.
Every domestic league on the planet will come to a standstill. Although the United States has regularly shown an absent fan base in past World Cups, the North American country has witnessed a considerable rise in the popularity of soccer. This year’s national team is one of the best squads manager Gregg Berhalter has ever created.
The US men’s national team for the FIFA 2022 World Cup is as follows:
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 SC
- Tim Ream – Fulham
- Antonee “Jedi” Robinson – Fulham
- Joe Scally – Borussia Monchengladbach
- DeAndre Yedlin – Inter Miami CF
- Walker Zimmerman – Nashville SC
Midfielders
- Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United
- Kellyn Acosta – LAFC
- Tyler Adams – Leeds United
- Luca de la Torre – Celta de Vigo
- Weston McKennie – Juventus
- Yunus Musah – Valencia
- Cristian Roldan – Seattle Sounders FC
Forwards
- Jesus Ferreria – FC Dallas
- Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders FC
- Christian Pulsic – Chelsea
- Gio Reyna – Borussia Dortmund
- Josh Sargent – Norwich City
- Tim Weah – Lille
- Haji Wright – Antalyaspor
USMNT World Cup Group B Schedule
- Nov. 21 vs. Wales – 2 pm ET
- Nov.25 vs. England – 2 pm ET
- Nov.29 vs. Iran – 2 pm ET
USMNT Facts
Nine of the twenty-six squad members are currently competing in MLS. The United States hasn’t competed in a World Cup competition since Brazil in 2014, and DeAndre Yedlin is the only player returning from 2014 to the 2022 team. It’s the youngest nation qualified for Qatar 2022, and 25 of the 26 players will be making their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Although Yedlin is the lone veteran, who’s previously competed in a World Cup, the likes of Sean Johnson from New York City FC made his senior international debut in January 2011. With the legalization of New York Sports betting earlier this year, you can guarantee that the Empire State locals will fully support their goalkeeper and his team heading into the World Cup.
Currently, sportsbooks have the USMNT as the third favorite to win Group B, but they’re notably priced at +110 to finish in one of the top two qualifying positions and make it to the round of 16.
The 26-man squad is the second-youngest US World Cup team in history, with an average age of 25-years-old. Furthermore, 21 of the 26 players arriving in Qatar participated in USMNT’s CONCACAF World Cup qualification campaign.
Exclusions
While 26 players are currently ecstatic to be boarding the plane to Qatar, a handful of American nationals weren’t selected.
Zach Steffen plays for English Championship side Middlesborough, but his goalkeeping skills weren’t selected for Qatar. FC Dallas player Paul Arriola and striker Ricardo Pepi were also absent from the roster. Chris Richards of Crystal Palace wasn’t chosen, nor was Miles Robinson from Atalanta United.
However, a plethora of talent is heading to Qatar, such as McKennie, Adams, Pulisic, and Reyna. Critics believe this is the most talented US international soccer team ever.
“We are excited to take this group to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” Berhalter commented. “Final roster decisions are always difficult, and we appreciate everyone’s contributions which helped us get to this point.
“We believe we have a talented group, a strong team spirit, and one that is ready to compete. We are extremely proud and honored to represent the United States and appreciate all the amazing support from our fans as we head to Qatar.”
Of course, the potential for European-based US players is still present, as the domestic leagues in Europe will compete this weekend, so we’ll hold our breath and hope for the best. That said, the MLS completed its season last week, so no worries there.
