Pre-match: 2022 FIFA World Cup Draw - April 1, 2022 - 12 PM EDT

it didnt matter who we play; Expectation is to get out of Group regardless who we got; The USA vs England game will be party time; Thanksgiving 11/25; that is some crazy stuff

 

I figure outside Qatar, the Pot 1 team is always going to be difficult and I don't see England as clearly above the others so that's fine. I think Iran in Pot 3 is tough but not a team we should fear. And, the playoff spot is probably one of the tougher Pot 4 draws, but none of those teams scare me, with Ukraine likely being the one that would give me the most concern. It's not an easy group, but considering we are usually in a lower pot, it is one of the easiest groups we've ever been drawn into so hard to be upset about it.

 

England on Black Friday. Really excited. No reason we shouldn't advance.

 

It’s the World Cup. You are probably gonna play some decent sides. Jesus.

 

If you go by FIFA rankings, Iran is the 2nd hardest team in pot 3. Wales is basically a high Pot 3 team too. So that is a hard draw, relatively.

It's OK with me. You have to win winnable games.

 

Not saying we’d be favored, but this is the next step for us. It’s a similar matchup to Belgium last time.

 

I see a lot of people here underestimating Iran.

Iran is going to be heavily motivated to beat us, especially in light of the well-known political tensions between the US and them.

 

I will be in Qatar and will watch USA matches #1 & 2 in person. Can't wait, and I certainly will be cheering on our boys to advance. But Iran & Wales are NOT Pot 4 teams, not even close. We'll have our work cut out for us. I would bet against us advancing. Hope I'm wrong.

 

#USMNT fans: I'm a bit biased here, but overlook Iran at your peril. Among the elite teams in Asia consistently, and currently in some of the best form I've ever seen them in. Only missed knockouts at last 2 WCs bc of ridiculous golazos. Playing v. close to home. Not an easy out.

— Alexander Abnos (@AnAbnos) April 1, 2022

 

We've advanced from tougher groups with less.talent.

 

Actually, I can see us tying the English, beating Wales, and losing to Iran.

 

Let’s be real it’s not like we’re not used to countries having political motivations to beat us. That’s like 95% of CONCACAF.

 

Obviously. It's all relative, and I think we did relatively poorly. Whatever, LFG!

 

Belgium crushed a quite good US side. That 2014 US team was better at GK (Howard) and Striker (Dempsey) and had a strong midfield in Jones, Bradley, F. Johnson, and Bedoya. Weaker links were Zusi in midfield and Cameron at right-back.

 

The political motivation with Iran is like that, but at a far larger scale.

 

Let's see:

• Four years after utter humiliation
• US placed 3rd in CONCACAF qualifying
• Two European teams and an Asian team
• World Cup held in Asia

 

Let's not forget that Iran will have a massive contingent in Qatar. It'll be like a home game for them. It's going to be a very tough game.

 

I'm not quite sure why anyone would underestimate Iran given what happened in 98. Iran is a much better team than they were then. The US should be favored, but I'm incredibly wary of the Iran game.

 

Watching on BBC. They are really happy with the group. Only person to stand up for the US is Jules. He said we have a lot of young talent but we are looking more towards 2026 to do some real damage with our youth. Saying 2022 is too early to win the group in 2022.

 

It’s nice to have a team good enough to where you’re confident of the challenge completely. I mean no one’s saying shoe in, but I think with this team, we could hsve gotten any group and I’d feel confident of advancing. Not slighting other teams, but we gud now

 

Unfortunately Ukraine will probably show up riding a wave of emotion.

 

I remember watching in '98. I understand the kids on the team don't. But I'm hoping we'll be pretty motivated, too.

 

Also, it's not just the politics. It's the style of play. Iran is a very defensive team that hits in counters.

There is a psych element too: due to cultural reasons, Americans (including our soccer players) tend to over-estimate anything European, more so Northern European, while under-estimating everybody else.

I can see our team playing the game of their lives against the English, only to get narrowly beaten by a team we under-estimated like Iran.

 

Gareth Bale will pull his calf in game 1. Shame we won't face them in game 2.

 

It's the world cup, who wants a cakewalk group? I would have been content with any group that wasn't pot A. My only disappointment is that we essentially will be playing two English teams if it's Scotland or Wales. A little more diversity would be more entertaining.