USA's route to the 2022 World Cup Final
Even though it would seem unlikely, the USA can reach the World Cup Final in 2022. Now that I think about it, there are a few possible landing places depending on how the Group stage goes.
The U.S. is by no means predicted to make it to the Final. Even then, the USMNT is definitely improving. That much is seen from 2021's CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League victories. In addition, despite dealing with injuries, the Americans placed third in World Cup qualifying. As the World Cup draws near, that terrible cycle might persist.
Whatever the case, the United States will likely be a surprise at the 2022 World Cup. Success cannot be guaranteed with a youthful team where the majority of the players are competing in their first World Cup. Although it is a talented team, many of its members currently play for prestigious foreign clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus, and more. Most of the players on the predicted squad will be playing against teams from outside of North America.
Wales, Iran, and one of the tournament favourites, England, are the teams playing in those opening matches. The USA's journey to the World Cup Final will begin with these Group stage matches.
Check out USA's possible roster and key players in FIFA world cup 2022
USA route to the 2022 World Cup Final
We all know that the United States' path to the World Cup final will be quite short if they place third or fourth in their group following the round-robin Group stage. So we will predict what happens if United States finishes second or first in the group.
Remember that there are just too many possible scenarios of opponents that the United States could face in each round of the knockout stages. The U.S. might play any country in the later knockout stages, depending on how the Group stage goes.
Nevertheless, there are numerous parallels. In the round of 16, the Group B runner-up faces the Group A champion. As a result, the Group A runner-up and Group B champion are played in the same round. In the round of 16, connections exist for Groups A and B, Groups C and D, Groups E and F, Groups G and H, and more as the knockout round goes on.
If everything goes as planned, it's safe to say that the Netherlands will take first place in that group. Then Senegal, Ecuador, or Qatar would finish second. Not an easy schedule, but games that the United States can win. At the 2021 Gold Cup, the United States did victorious over Qatar.
Therefore, we would claim that it is the responsibility of the United States to send the hosts Qatar home. For the first time in 20 years, Gregg Berhalter's team punched their ticket to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals can become difficult. France and Argentina are likely to face off in the round of 16 matchup between the Group D champion and Group C runner-up. Denmark versus Mexico is another possibility. All of the teams are competitive. For the sake of simplicity, assume that the United States faces the winner of Mexico vs. Denmark.
Perhaps France made a mistake and came in second place in that group. Another game that can be won is this one. In the event that it is Mexico, the United States has had a lot of success in the preceding 16 months. Denmark is one of the outsiders competing in the event, though. The United States does well and advances to the semifinals.
The fuel for nightmares is on the other quadrant of the bracket. Here are the other four teams on the American side of the bracket, based on the betting odds used to determine the winner and runner-up of the World Cup:
Belgium wins Group F, Switzerland comes in second in Group G, and Portugal takes first place in Group H. Germany comes in second place in Group E. Could Ghana, Canada, or Costa Rica combine all that? Absolutely. In fact, it's probable that will occur. Let's assume, though, for the sake of realism that the United States must face either Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, or Portugal in the semifinals.
These teams are all ranked among the top-16 teams in FIFA's official world rankings. Switzerland, who has a history of playing spoiler in important competitions, is likely the easiest (see round of 16 at Euro 2020 against France). At this stage of the competition, much depends on luck. Each of these teams could be defeated by the United States just as easily as they might be defeated 4-0. It is a real possibility to make the World Cup Final, though.
We'll claim that in the worst-case scenario from Group B, the United States comes in second. We'll pretend it came down to the final moments even though it makes no difference, only to add to the USMNT fans' already-loved sense of tension.
Numerous of these contests correspond to the USA's simplified route to the World Cup Final. However, they are simply the group's stronger side. The United States would play the Netherlands in the round of 16 tie. At the very least, Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, and Matthijs de Ligt have the potential to be world-class athletes. For a nation that missed out on qualifying for Russia 2018 and undoubtedly has some resentment and shame stored up, there is greatness all around.
But hey, somehow the United States defeats the Netherlands. A meeting with the winner of France and Argentina will serve as their reward. Select your poison. The current World Champions, who have the deepest team in the world and are led by the player who is now in the great form on the planet, Karim Benzema, as well as a guy from PSG named Kylian Mbappé, will be facing off against the Americans.
Alternatively, the USMNT takes on Argentina and Lionel Messi in what is probably the PSG player's final World Cup. By the way, Argentina continues their insane winning streak, which also includes victories over Italy in the UEFA Cup of champions Final and Copa America.
It will be the Cinderella run of Cinderella runs at the World Cup if the USA defeats the Netherlands and one of those two teams. The next four teams could be as difficult if the groups go in a specific manner. For instance, Brazil and Spain succeed in their groups as predicted.
In all honesty, it is entirely possible for Belgium and Portugal to finish second. The United States takes on whichever team wins the battle between Brazil, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal. As American fans, we are now playing with house money because these are the top-10 teams in the world rankings.
That seems too unbelievable to be true, and I don't mean to be pessimistic. But if only half of that happens, it will be the most memorable two weeks in American soccer history. The World Cup Final retaliation match versus England should then be added on for good measure. Football returns home.
