MIAMI, Florida – The United States make their heralded return to the FIFA World Cup on Monday when they face Wales to open Group B play at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Qatar 2022 marks the first World Cup for the U.S. since Brazil 2014 and of the 26 players on the roster of Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, only one boasts experience in a Senior Men’s World Cup, DF DeAndre Yedlin.

It is a very young U.S. team, but also one that has tasted success in various Concacaf tournaments. In June 2021, the U.S. captured a dramatic 3-2 extra time win over rivals Mexico to win the first ever Concacaf Nations League.

Later that summer, the U.S. edged out their rivals again in a Final, this time in the Concacaf Gold Cup with a 1-0 extra time triumph.

A Third-Place finish in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 was enough to secure their spot in the tournament, with attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic leading the way with five goals in qualifying.

Other key members for Monday’s opener against Wales will be midfield stalwarts like Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. McKennie scored two goals for the U.S. during qualifying, while Adams was a stalwart in the middle of the field, playing in 13 of the team’s 14 matches.

This will be the first ever World Cup meeting between the U.S. and Wales, but the Welsh should be a very formidable foe, especially with star FW Gareth Bale, who just won MLS Cup 2022 and will compete in next season’s Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.

After an eight-year wait, the U.S. will be out to make the most of their World Cup return and secure a precious three points to start their group stage campaign.

PREVIOUS HISTORY VS. USMNT

There have been just two previous meetings between Wales and the U.S. The last game marked the USMNT’s first match back from the shutdown of international soccer due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, a 0-0 draw on Nov. 12, 2020 in Swansea, Wales.

Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah, both just 17 years old, made their USMNT debuts against the Red Dragons.

The first encounter between the two nations came in an international friendly on May 26, 2003 in San Jose, Calif. The U.S. won 2-0, snapping the visitors’ 10-game unbeaten streak with goals from Landon Donovan (penalty kick in the 41st minute) and Eddie Lewis (59th minute). Wales midfielder Matthew Jones was sent off in the 48th.

Tyler Adams

United States’ Tyler Adams, center, controls the ball as Wales’ Matthew Smith, left, and Tom Lawrence defend. Photograph by US Soccer. 

Referee: Raphael CLAUS (BRA)
Assistant referee 1: Rodrigo FIGUEIREDO (BRA)
Assistant referee 2: Simon DANILO (BRA)
4th official: Kevin ORTEGA (PER)
Reserve assistant referee: Michael ORUÉ (PER)