HITC Football previews the Group B game at the 2022 Qatar World Cup between England and the USA. The Three Lions will seek a spot in the Round of 16 as they face the USMNT.
Gareth Southgate can secure England’s passage to the knockout stages with a win after a 6-2 trouncing of Iran. The Three Lions steamrolled the Western Asian country in their first fixture at Qatar 2022 on Monday. Wales came from behind to hold the USA to a 1-1 draw.
Any win on Friday for the Three Lions will put England five points clear of third place with a game to go. Southgate’s side face Wales in their final game on November 29 while the USA meet Iran. Only Iran can be eliminated after match two if England and Wales win their ties.
HITC Football previews England vs the USA at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Southgate will be keen to secure England’s place in the last 16 as early as possible to avoid a boom-or-bust clash with Wales. The Three Lions could also use their meeting with Cymru to rest key players. It worked out that way in 2018 as England finished second in Group G.
England went on to reach the semi-finals at Russia 2018 under Southgate before they lost the third-place play-off to Belgium. The USA did not feature at the last World Cup as they failed to qualify. The USMNT made the Round of 16 at South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
The 2010 World Cup saw England meet the USA in their opening group stage fixture, too. It is the last competitive game between the two teams and saw Clint Dempsey rescue a draw for the USMNT. Rob Green spilt the midfielder’s tame attempt after Steven Gerrard scored.
Failing to beat the USA before drawing 0-0 with Algeria would prove costly as England met – and lost 4-1 to – Germany in the last 16. Ghana ended the USMNT’s time in South Africa in the last 16, as well. They have not gone further since making the quarter-finals in 2002.
The USA will be confident they can challenge England at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25. Despite Gareth Bale’s 82nd-minute penalty saving a point for Wales, Gregg Berhalter’s side were comfortably the better team. The USMNT often dominated in the first half of the tie.
Team News: Kane should be fit but Maddison is to miss England vs the USA
England go into their match with the USA at the 2022 World Cup with question marks over Harry Kane’s involvement. The Three Lions captain sustained an ankle injury against Iran as a result of Morteza Pouraliganji’s tackle. But The Guardian reports he should be fit to play.
James Maddison will likely miss the Group B tie, though, as the Leicester City star has been unable to train. He is still recovering from the knee injury that kept the 25-year-old on the sidelines against Iran. Maddison picked up the injury against West Ham on November 12.
England also hope Harry Maguire overcomes the illness that forced the Manchester United defender off against Iran. Southgate surprised many by starting the centre-half having only played 511 minutes of club football this season. But the centre-half was a star against Iran.
The USA also have their own injury concerns ahead of facing England at the World Cup this Friday. Berhalter took Sergino Dest off after 74 minutes against Wales as he returned from an adductor issue. Yunus Musah also limped off in the 75th minute after a likely toe injury.
Berhalter may be without Weston McKennie when the USA face England as he seemed to tweak his groin, as well. The Juventus midfielder lasted the first 66 minutes against Wales.
What is the head-to-head record between England and the USA?
England and the USA will meet for the 12th time when they clash at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Three Lions have won eight of their previous 11 matches and drawn in one. The USA won the first encounter between the national sides in 1950 and not again since 1993.
Qatar 2022 has thrown up the third World Cup match between the USA and England. The Three Lions have never beaten the USMNT on the FIFA stage after losing 1-0 in 1950 and drawing 1-1 in 2010. All eight of their wins have come during international friendly games.
The USA beat England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil during their second matches in Group 2. It proved to be the USMNT’s only win after and before defeats to Spain and Chile. England had beaten Chile in their opening tie 2-0 before a 1-0 defeat to the USA and Spain.
Who is the form side ahead of meeting at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
Southgate will oversee a 78th game as England manager when his side lines up against the USA at Qatar 2022. He has taken 49 wins and 14 draws to 14 defeats to date whilst scoring 179 goals to 66 conceded. But England arrived in the Middle East amid a dire run of form.
Berhalter, meanwhile, will stand in the USMNT dugout for the 59th time targeting his 37th win in charge. The USA have also drawn 12 and lost 10 games under the 49-year-old. While also the USMNT boast 117 goals scored to just 38 allowed under Berhalter’s watch so far.
England’s last nine games: W-W-L-D-D-L-L-D-W
The USA’s last nine games: W-L-W-D-W-D-L-D-D
How to watch England vs USA live in the UK on TV and online
England and the USA’s tie is live in the UK on ITV 1 with a 19:00 GMT kick-off on November 25. The free-to-air public broadcast television network will begin its coverage at 18:05 with a 55-minute build-up show. The fixture can also be watched online and restarted via ITV X.
BBC Radio 5 Live will also carry commentary from kick-off along with a build-up show from 18:00 GMT. The station will continue with reaction from the Group B meeting and Friday’s other World Cup matches from 21:00 GMT. England against the USA is the last of four ties.
England World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #5
World Cup titles: 1 (best finish of first in 1966)
World Cup appearance: 16
How they qualified: Finished top of the UEFA Group I table with 26 points
USA World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #16
World Cup titles: 0 (best finish of the semi-finals in 1930, credited with third place)
World Cup appearance: 11
How they qualified: Finished third in the CONCACAF third-round table with 25 points
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