The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) are back in the World Cup after missing the 2018 edition in Russia in a gloomy style following a drubbing in Trinidad and Tobago in their final deciding qualifier.
Wales will make their first World Cup appearance since 1958, which is exactly 64 years - when eliminated in the quarter-finals by a 17-year-old Pele.
The Yaks will be necking-it-down with the Red Dragons at the 44,740 capacity Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan in their Group B opener on Monday night. USA boast far more World Cup experience than Wales, with this their 11th Mundials, though their first in eight years after failing to qualify for the tournament in Russia 2018.
Head coach of Wales Rob Page insists his side are not in Qatar to merely make up the numbers. The 48-year-old Welsh inked his name in his nation's mythology by guiding them to a second ever World Cup, after taking over from Ryan Giggs.
"Managers are greedy! We are grateful that we have got to this stage. But you look at the group and you start to look at the teams individually," Page said.
"There is no disrespect to the other teams, but we have to go into the group with huge confidence that we can get out of the group, and we do."
How did USMNT qualify?
USMNT had a rare chance in the last game of the qualifier, all they needed was a win or draw with Trinidad and Tobago. But instead, they lost 2-1, which featured an own goal in the 17th minute.
In the qualifying round, the Yanks annexed the second-most points, behind Canada who qualified for the Mundial for the first time in 36 years. This time around, USMNT weren't ready to be denied, despite losing 2-0 to Costa Rica in their last game.
Regardless of that loss, a superior performance the weekend before - a 5-1 win over Panama - gave the Yanks a huge goal-difference margin. They just had to avoid losing by six goals or more.
Actually, only Mexico (17) have appeared at more World Cup's among CONCACAF nations, and USA have reached the knockouts in three of their past four involvements.
How did WALES qualify?
Wales qualified for the World Cup as one of three UEFA play-offs winners and is one of 13 European nations set to compete in the global showpiece.
The Red Dragons beat Austria and Ukraine in a play-off knockout thanks to an own goal diverted from a Gareth Bale free-kick - having finished second in their qualifying group behind Belgium to secure their place in Qatar, and are ranked 19th in the world – three places behind USA.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The USMNT have named the second-youngest 26-man squad list of any side in Qatar, with an average age of 25 years and 215 days (as of the opening day of the tournament).
The Yanks will be led by Christian Pulisic, the first American to play in and win a Champions League final. He had been engrossed with trying to lift the Yanks back to the World Cup. The 24-year-old led the team with five of its 21 goals despite making just seven starts due to COVID-19, a sprained ankle and shaky form when he first came back from the injury.
"Looking at the big picture, we’re obviously so proud to represent our country at a World Cup, so we’re thrilled for that. In a couple of days, I don’t think we’ll be thinking about this game," he said. "I think we can do a lot of damage, man. I think we’re a confident bunch of guys, and, yeah, I think the country will get behind us," emboldened Pulisic said.
Also, Borussia Dortmund attacker Giovanni Reyna is one of those young lads looking to make an impact and pull a shocker in his maiden World Cup as he looks to build on the four goals scored in his first 14 senior caps for the Yanks.
Although he only turned 20 this month, he could become the 14th player in USMNT's history to win 15 caps under the age of 21 years old, a list that includes his father Claudio.
AC Milan’s Sergiño Dest is one tormentor of strikers. Dest combines many key qualities needed in a full-back, including strong attacking prowess, solid defensive play, and being excellent in possession! He has the ability to take players on and his pace is a virtue going forward and defending.
On the other hand, Wales will unleash striker Gareth Bale - Nine of the Red Dragons 13 goals at their past two major tourney's, Euro 2016 and 2020, have seen at least one of Bale or Aaron Ramsey either score or provide an assist.
Bale may have lacked playing time over the past year, but that made little difference when scoring all three of Wales goals in their play-off wins over Austria and Ukraine.
The 33-year-old has declared himself fit enough to play a full part in each of the Dragons matches in Qatar. He recently played a huge part in Los Angeles (LAFC) recent MLS Cup triumph.
Bale told reporters on Sunday: “I am right where I want to be. I am here, right before the first game and ready to go.
“We have all been training hard in the last week and adapting to the heat and time zones and we have no excuses now.
“We put the hard work in and it’s game time tomorrow (Monday) and that’s hopefully where we can step up and deliver what needs to be delivered.”
“As a kid you dream of seeing Wales at the World Cup but to actually be in the team that achieves it is an incredible feeling,” said Bale, Wales’ all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 108 games.
HEAD TO HEAD
USA after two meetings, beat Wales 2-0 on 26th, May, 2003, with both teams firing a 0-0 draw at the Swansea.com Stadium, home of Swansea City FC in Wales in November, 2020.
2003: USA 2 - Wales 0
2020: USA 0 - Wales 0
PROBABLE XI
USA: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Aaronson; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic
Wales: Hennessey; C Roberts, Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies, N Williams; Allen, Ramsey; Bale, Moore, James
MATCH OFFICIALS
Center Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
Assistant 1: Taleb Al Marri (Qatar)
Assistant 2: Saoud Al Maqaleh (Qatar)
Fourth Official: Ning Ma (China)
VAR Officials: Abdullah Al-Marri (Qatar)
CHANNEL: Kickgh.com, StarTimes, GTVSports+, Globe TV, Peacock Premium, TV3 & Onua TV, ETV, Vidgo and Sling Blue
KICKOFF: 1900GMT (7:00pm)
By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah
