USA World Cup Preview

Best Ever Finish: Third Place (1930, lost 6-1 to Argentina)

Manager: Gregg Berhalter

Key Player: Christian Pulisic

World Cup Group: England, Iran, Wales

The current CONCACAF Nations League champions will be hoping to shock the world and reach the quarterfinals for the first time since they controversially lost to Germany in 2002.

Known as the Stars and Stripes, The USA qualified to this years World Cup through finishing third place in their CONCACAF group; qualifying alongside Canada, Mexico and eventually Costa Rica.

Chelsea star Christian Pulisic will hope to spearhead his country out of the group and towards the knockout rounds, with the former Champions League Winner scoring five goals in qualifying.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter will be hoping he can get the best out of his players, with the USA fielding a strong squad with additional players such as Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Sergino Dest, Tim Ream, Brendan Aaronson, Gio Reyna and Luca de la Torre all bolstering the team since their 2014 disappointment.

The USA were questioned of there ability in a recent International friendly against Japan where they lost 2-0 and didn’t register a shot on target.

A slight improvement saw them draw 0-0 against Saudi Arabia four days later, but Berhalter’s men will have to improve to achieve success at the World Cup.

The USA are currently ranked 16th in the FIFA World Ranking, 11 better than when they were ranked 27th at their last World Cup appearance.

Following their success in CONCACAF there is ambition that The Stars and Stripes can get out of their tough group including England, Iran and Wales. It will take a dedicated performance from The USA to go deep into the competition in Qatar.