The senior national teams of FIFA member associations are expected to compete in the World Cup for the 22nd time in 2022. It will be held in Qatar from November 20th to December 18th, 2022. The Arab world is making history by hosting the first-ever World Cup. Also, this tournament will be the last one with only 32 teams. In 2026, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will host a tournament with 48 teams.
For those who love to wager online, check out the FIFA odds for great options and betting lines. Let’s look at the progress USA, and Canada have made for the upcoming world cup.
Progress USA Has Made
The United States’ record at soccer’s biggest event is shaky. The US first participated in the inaugural World Cup in 1930, where they did well.
Since then, they have been in and out of the tournament, missing for over 40 years during the 1900s before making a comeback in 1990 and becoming a reliable qualifier.
Despite a 2-0 loss to Panama in the final qualifying match, the US qualified for the 32-team 2022 men’s World Cup in March, becoming one of the final qualifiers for the tournament.
The U.S. had already locked up a spot when they beat Panama 5-1 in Orlando on the second-to-last matchday. After that game, they celebrated briefly with a “Qualified” banner, but they didn’t know for sure they were going to Qatar until the last game in Costa Rica.
The U.S. Men’s National Team and Canada and Mexico qualified directly for the 2022 World Cup by finishing in the top three of an eight-team regional qualification group.
History of the USA in the World Cup
Although the US qualified for and played in the first 1930 World Cup and advanced to the round of 16 in the 1934 event, there was a long period of ineligibility between 1950 and 1990.
The presence of Mexico was a major factor in the United States perennial inability to win the big prize. The United States and Canada were left out of the tournament as El Tri routinely dominated their qualification group.
The United States regained World Cup relevance in the 1990s when the qualification structure evolved, and the country began competing more frequently with Mexico.
Even though they did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup because of a scheduling conflict with another tournament four years earlier in Russia, they are now annual competitors. When they finally make it out of their respective groups, the next challenge they will face is the tournament’s elimination rounds, where they have repeatedly failed.
USA Schedule in the 2022 World Cup
The U.S. will play Wales in its first World Cup encounter, which could be the most significant. The Dragons are expected to be the U.S.’s toughest opponent for the second qualifying position, making the game against Gareth Bale and company crucial in the quest to advance out of Group B.
On November 25th, Americans will aim to upset England in a major game. Finally, the U.S. will play Iran, which Berhalter’s team must beat to reach the knockout stage.
Progress Canada Has Made
After a 4-0 thrashing of Jamaica in Toronto, Canada secured its spot in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. This win made Canada the first Concacaf team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. John Herdman, Canada’s manager, has led the country to its first men’s World Cup appearance since 1986, making it the second appearance in the tournament overall.
Canada Schedule in the 2022 World Cup
On November 23rd, Canada will play against Belgium, on November 27th against Croatia, and finally against Morocco on December 1st.
Canada’s Strengths
Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies are the undisputed stars of the Canadian national team, who have elevated the team from a CONCACAF level to a potential World Cup contender.
Davies plays full-back for Bayern Munich, but he plays wing-back or winger for the national team. He could play full-back, adding defensive skills to his world-class wide-area attacking.
We have Milan Borjan, Dayne St. Clair, and Maxime Crepeau in the goalkeeping section. In the midfield section, if healthy, Stephen Eustaquio must start, and 37-year-old Atiba Hutchinson, who can play center-back, will lead if he recovers.
Mark-Anthony Kaye backs up Samuel Piette and Eustaquio. Junior Hoilett and Jonathan Osorio can link up with the attackers when the system calls for it.
Conclusion
We must admit that the 2022 World Cup will be remembered because it will be the first World Cup not to be hosted in May, June, or July and to take place in the northern autumn. The participation of the U.S. and Canada after a long absence will add to its significance. The two nations have made excellent progress in preparation for the forthcoming 2022 World Cup.