USA odds to win World Cup 2022: Confirmed squad, route to the final & ranking

The USMNT will have to battle through a deceptively difficult group to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup finals this winter.

Back on international football’s biggest stage for the first time since their run to the last 16 in 2014, the Stars and Stripes are expected to have to scrap with Iran and Wales to advance as runners-up from Group B behind favourites England.

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Head coach Gregg Berhalter made a number of shock selections when naming his 26-man squad ahead of the finals, with Haji Wright, Jordan Morris and Shaq Moore among the surprise inclusions.

The Latest USA Odds to Win the World Cup

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USA TO REACH THE QUARTER-FINALWorld Cup Finals

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With the USA favourites to advance from Group B alongside England, they could face a tough tie against Senegal in the Round of 16. It’s certainly a winnable match and could set up a potential quarter-final against France. That feels like too big a hurdle for this USA side, and 9/2 for the Americans to be knocked out at the quarter-final stage looks good value.

USA Route to the World Cup 2022 Final in Qatar

Group Stage Fixtures

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USA’s toughest opponent in a competitive Group B will surely be England, but Wales will also provide a stern test for the Stars & Stripes. There is certainly plenty of intrigue around every contest in this group and, whilst USA should be qualifying from Group B, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see them crashing out in the group stages. 

Who Could USA meet in the knockout rounds?

If USA were able to win Group B, they’d face the nation who finish second in Group A, consisting of Netherlands, Ecuador, Senegal and hosts, Qatar. Netherlands are favourites to win Group A, with Senegal the bookies’ favourite to finish second. If USA make it past that test, they could face an incredibly tough run to World Cup glory with potential matches against France, Germany and Brazil on the cards for them.

A second place finish in Group B would see USA take on the winners of Group A, with Netherlands looking the most likely opponent in the Round of 16. The route to the World Cup Final isn’t any easier for USA if they finish in second, with the might of Argentina, Brazil and France standing in the way of them lifting the famous trophy.

USA World Cup 2022 Squad

USA Players to watch at this year’s World Cup 2022

USA Top World Cup Golden Boot Contender –  Christian Pulisic

USA’s best hopes of success in Qatar seem to rest on the shoulders of Christian Pulisic. The Chelsea forward is likely to be the highest-scoring player within the squad, scoring 21 times in 51 appearances. His time as Chelsea, whilst not being a disaster, hasn’t gone as smoothly as he would’ve hoped and there were rumours that he would leave the club this summer. He remains at Stamford Bridge, though, and has 19 goals in 80 appearances for the Blues but has yet to score in seven matches this season — a worry as he looks for form ahead of the World Cup.

USA Player to watch – Giovanni Reyna

There’s an influx of young talent coming through the ranks of the United States system and, potentially, the one with the highest ceiling is Giovanni Reyna. The 19 year old comes from good stock, with his dad, Claudio, being capped 112 times for his country. Reyna is in one of the best places he could be, being nurtured at Borussia Dortmund, where he has come through the academy system to become part of the first team squad. If he’s given the chance, he could make a big impact in Qatar this winter.

USA Emerging player to look out for – Yunus Musah

There was a tug of war over Yunus Musah in 2020, with four nations all vying to give the youngster his first cap. He was eligible for USA, England, Italy and Ghana and, having played multiple games through the England Youth ranks, many expected him to turn out with Three Lions on his chest. Instead he opted to accept a call up from the USMNT. He’s played 19 times since that call-up and has established himself as a starting central midfielder alongside Tyler Adams. He’s also become an integral part of the Valencia starting eleven and should definitely be on your radar for players to keep an eye on in Qatar.

USA Tactical analysis & likely formation at the World Cup

USA have played a 4-3-3 formation fairly consistently through their qualifying campaign, even if certain personnel haven’t been available. The Concacaf confederation isn’t the strongest, which allowed the side to control the majority of their games and, with a wealth of talent playing in both MLS and Europe, USA will be looking to carry that over into the group stages against both Wales and Iran.

Tyler Adams is key to the way USA play, sitting deep and dictating play, allowing Musah and Brenden Aaronson more freedom to move higher up the pitch. Gio Reyna and Pulisic are likely to switch wings at times and both will be fairly narrow when in possession, allowing the full backs to provide more of the width. Jesus Ferreira has been the preferred option through qualifying and has seven goals in just 13 games since making his debut in 2020.

USA FAQ’s

Where are USA in the Fifa World Rankings?

USA are currently 14th in the Fifa World Rankings, whilst their highest ever ranking was 4th in April 2006.

Who is the USA Manager?

Gregg Berhalter was appointed as head coach in 2018 following a spell in charge of Columbus Crew in MLS. Since being appointed he’s won 36 of the 54 matches he’s taken charge of and led his side to a Nations League title in 2020 and the Gold Cup in 2021.

Who is the current USA captain?

Tyler Adams is the man most often tasked with leading his side on the pitch. He secured a move to Leeds United in the summer of 2022, impressing in his early games under Jesse Marsch. His performances in Germany for RB Leipzig and for New York Red Bulls in MLS have won him plenty of plaudits and he’s expected to be a major part of the USA side in Qatar this winter.

How many times have USA won the World Cup? 

USA have never lifted the World Cup trophy but they achieved a semi final finish in 1930, the inaugural World Cup competition. In the modern era, they reached the quarter-final stage in 2002 before being knocked out by Germany.

How many times have USA competed in the World Cup?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be their 11th appearance at a World Cup finals. They failed to qualify in 2018 but had qualified for the seven previous competitions.

Who has scored USA most goals in World Cup tournaments?

Landon Donovan has the most World Cup goals for USA, with five scored across two finals appearances in 2002 and 2010 — he blanked at the 2006 World Cup. Bert Patenaude (1930) and Clint Dempsey (2006, 2010, 2014) both have four.

Which player from USA has the most World Cup appearances?

Landon Donovan has also made the most World Cup appearances of any USMNT player, featuring 12 times across three tournaments from 2002-2010. Cobi Jones, Earnie Stewart and DaMarcus Beasley have 11 appearances each, with Beasley the only US player to feature in four World Cups.