FIFA World Cup 2022 Live Updates: USA vs Wales

11:30 PM IST: Welcome to the live blog for the USA vs Wales, FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B match between USA and Wales.

With England facing Iran earlier in the day, and likely to come out on top, these two teams will have that in mind going into the game at the Ahmad bin Alli Stadium, Al Rayyan. The United States have qualified again for a World Cup after their last appearance in 2014. They finished third in their CONCACAF qualifying group, behind Canada and Mexico.

Similarly, Wales will make their first appearance at a World Cup finals in 64 years and qualified after an emotionally charged 1-0 World Cup qualifying playoff win at home vs Ukraine. Manager Robert Paige will again look to the leadership of LAFC’s Gareth Bale, a legend playing his last World Cup.

USA form (all comps): W D W D L D

Wales form (all comps): W L D L L L

Players to Watch

Gareth Bale

The legendary Welshman has provided innumerable moments of magic on the pitch for his country, on the biggest stage. However, the 33-year-old, is at the tale end of his glittering football career, after winning multiple Champions League and league titles with Real Madrid. Having announced his intention of retiring if Wales hadn’t qualified, he’d be looking to make a final point before bowing out of top-flight football forever.

Christian Pulisic

The Chelsea winger, hasn’t had the best time adapting to the English Premier League, with limited game time for his club. However, he’s always performed the big occasion for his country with 19 goal contributions in the last 23 qualifying games for his country and will look to continue in the same vein in Qatar.

Head to Head stats

The two sides have played each other twice and Wales is yet to win. The USA won once and drew the other.

Played – 2USA -1Drawn – 1Wales – 0

USA Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):  

Matt Turner; Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Aaron Long, Antonee Robinson; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Brendan Aaronson; Gio Reyna, Jesus Ferreira, Christian Pulisic

Wales Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):  

Wayne Hennessey; Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies; Connor Roberts, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Neco Williams; Gareth Bale, Keiffer Moore, Daniel James

USA vs Wales Prediction

With very little to separate these two teams, the deciding factor will be individual moments of quality. Hence, despite the tender average age of 24 years, the USA will have more quality on the ball and athleticism to outduel their European counterparts.

Prediction: USA 2-1 Wales