With so much focus on the U.S. men’s national team and its World Cup preparations, it’s easy to lose sight of one incredibly important side of the equation: what its opponents are doing.
The U.S.’s capacity for success in Qatar is not only down to what the Americans do, but it’s also largely dependent on how positioned for success its competition is. Like the U.S., its three World Cup group opponents, Wales, England and Iran, are also playing against Qatar-bound sides this month, with the only exception being England’s upcoming match against Italy—the reigning European champion that stunningly failed to reach the World Cup for a second straight time.
Between UEFA Nations League matches and friendlies, those three teams are gearing up just as the U.S. is, with fine-tuning and players on the bubble making their final cases for inclusion. Here’s a closer look at what’s to come for the trio the U.S. will face in November:
: Nov. 21, 2 p.m. ET, Al Rayyan Stadium.
: vs Belgium, Poland in the UEFA Nations League.
The Dragons sit bottom of their Nations League group and face potential relegation to League B. That, of course, is of absolutely minuscule importance when compared to being prepared for the nation’s first World Cup in 64 years and an opening match against the Americans. The results during this window matter to a degree for Robert Page’s side, but more useful will be the time together and assessing where Gareth Bale stands in his first camp since joining LAFC this summer. He has started only twice in 11 MLS appearances, scoring two goals, but his form is less of a factor than his fitness when it comes to representing his country.
Wales won’t be operating with a full deck, with injuries to midfielder Aaron Ramsey, winger Harry Wilson and goalkeeper Adam Davies keeping them from camp and Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks not yet back in frame after overcoming a cancer diagnosis in the spring.
“In the next two games is the opportunity to use them with one eye on the World Cup,” Page said upon revealing his squad, adding that he’s not planning on springing any surprises and will rely on his veteran core. “But it's a shame we find ourselves in this position going into two Nations League games. We could only need one win to stay in the division, but it shows the progression, we are playing against Belgium holding our own.
“We want to stay in the division, of course we do … we want to play against the best players and teams.”
The Dragons will get the chance to do just that in this window, between Belgium, ranked No. 2 in the world, and Poland, featuring an in-form Robert Lewandowski. In the reverse fixtures in June, Poland came from behind to beat Wales at home, 2–1, while the Welsh held Belgium to a 1–1 draw in Cardiff thanks to Brennan Johnson’s late equalizer. The rematches are proper preparation for a team that has its core largely intact and whose manager has the support of having signed a four-year deal to run through the 2026 World Cup—a reward for the job already done in place of Ryan Giggs, who stepped down amid domestic violence charges.
Separately, the U.S. will hope that by the time Nov. 21 rolls around, Welsh actor Michael Sheen’s World Cup pep talk (geared toward the Dragons’ match vs. England) will have worn off. But based on Page’s affinity for Sheen and his speech, that appears unlikely.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Tom King (Salford City)
Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Rennes), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia), Chris Gunter (Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley)
Midfielders: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons)
Forwards: Wes Burns (Ipswich Town), Dan James (Fulham), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Luke Harris (Fulham), Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Rabbi Matondo (Rangers), Tyler Roberts (Queens Park Rangers)
