How Far Can USMNT Go in The Upcoming FIFA World Cups?

With two FIFA World Cups arriving far sooner than expected this decade, USMNT have a realistic chance of making it further than before in the tournament. They failed to qualify in 2018 after a loss to minnows Trinidad and Tobago, for the first time since 1986 – having made it to every World Cup from 1990 to 2014.

This time around, with a rejuvenated and youthful squad filled with some of the most talented names in world football, USMNT have a realistic chance of not only making it to the tournament but also go far ahead.

As one of the four unbeaten teams so far in the final round of the CONCACAF qualifiers, the American team is poised to battle it out until the end to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Their opening two games were of sub-standard display – a stalemate against El Salvador, followed by a 1-1 draw with Canada – but Gregg Berhalter’s troops are still a side under development. It is a side filled with youngsters who have not matured yet, although some of them have already achieved fantastic accolades such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Copa del Rey, DFB Pokal, and of course, the Major League Soccer title.

Fuelled by the presence of youthful talent, who might or might not hit their peak in a year’s time, it is hard to predict the kind of outlook the USMNT will possess. As of the moment, the team looks to adorn a ‘style over substance’ persona and it has been evident of late of the areas that Berhalter needs to improve on. The lack of experience on the international stage by players such as Giovanni Reyna, Serginho Dest, Weston McKennie, Josh Sargent and Tyler Adams among others, is of concern. Fulham centre-back Tim Ream, 33, is the oldest of the current regular lot, followed by the next oldest in LA Galaxy’s central midfielder Sebastian Lletget, who is only 29. The lack of experienced and veteran players is of great concern, especially to a side looking to compete at the greatest stage in world soccer. Take for example the forward line, consisting of six players whose average age is just 21.5 – the youngest being 18-year-old Europe-bound Ricardo Pepi and Swiss champions Young Boys’ striker Jordan Pefok, who is the oldest at 25.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 will arrive in a year, lasting from 21 November to 18 December 2022, giving the team just less than 20 fixtures to gear up for the showdown event – more than half of them arriving in competitive and qualifier fixtures. Although that is a good amount of matches to gel the team and give the youngsters some experience, it might not be sufficient to make an impact on the world stage. Saying so, we can predict the USMNT to go past the group stages and probably even the Round of 16 but anything ahead of that might be far-fetched, at least for the moment.

Nevertheless, it might be safe to bet for the country’s 2026 World Cup chances, largely due to two reasons – greater experience gained for the current youth generation and the presence of home crowd, a great morale booster for the country hosting (co-hosting) its first World Cup event since 1994. Players can access a whole range of resources such as best bookmakers to choose from, best odds, and beginner guides to keep an eye out for the national team’s prospects, irrespective of what tournament they participate in. Those perks can also extend to cashbacks, loyalty points and free bets for first time and regular users.

The Stars and Stripes have never gone past the semi-finals stage, an achievement realized during the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup in Uruguay. Since then, the quarter-finals have been the farthest the team has toiled through – 2022 marking twenty years since the undertaking. The 2026 event will precisely arrive when a large number of players are in the prime years of their respective careers. Having gained invaluable European soccer experience in the meantime, players such as Pulisic, Reyna, DeAndre Yedlin, Brendan Aaronson and John Brooks will be in their mid-20s and nearing early 30s. One could safely tip their hats for the 2026 World Cup roster to potentially upset the odds and, equal or even better their 1930 semi-final feat.

How Far Can USMNT Go in The Upcoming FIFA World Cups? to SEC Soccer

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