The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. to face European playoff winner in World Cup opener
The United States will play either Ukraine, Wales or Scotland in its World Cup opener, then meet England and Iran in its return to the tournament.
The 15th-ranked Americans were drawn Friday to start against the European playoff winner Nov. 21, the tournament’s opening day in Qatar, then meet No. 5 England on Nov. 25 and close the Group B stage against No. 21 Iran on Nov.
29.
No. 39 Scotland meets 27th-ranked Ukraine in June in a playoff delayed because of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The winner meets No. 18 Wales for a World Cup berth, a match also scheduled for June.
The U.S. famously upset England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, then opened the 2010 tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Three Lions in South Africa. Steven Gerrard put England ahead in the fourth minute at Rustenberg, but Clint Dempsey tied the score in the 40th when his 25-yard shot skipped off the grass twice and bounced in.
Iran upset the U.S. 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France, eliminating the Americans after their second game. Hamid Estili scored in the 40th minute and Mehdi Mahdavikia in the 94th at Lyon, and current U.S. men’s national team general manager Brian Mcbride scored in the 87th.
The other groups break down this way:
GROUP A: Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
Host Qatar will make its World Cup debut against Ecuador on Nov.
21.
Netherlands, a three-time World Cup runner-up, will start against Senegal, the new African champion.
GROUP C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski — the holders of the Ballon d’or and FIFA Best player in the world awards, respectively — are on track to meet when Argentina plays Poland in the last round of group games.
GROUP D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru or Australia or United Arab Emirates
Defending champion France and Denmark were in the same group four years ago and both advanced to the knockout stage.
GROUP E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand
2010 champion Spain will face 2014 winner Germany in a tough group for Japan.
GROUP F: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
Belgium was a semifinalist four years ago, and Croatia was the beaten finalist. Canada is an intriguing and difficult option from the lowest-ranked teams after topping its qualifying group ahead of Mexico and the U.S.
GROUP G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia are quickly reunited after all were in the same group in 2018. Brazil will open against Serbia, which it beat 2-0 four years ago.
GROUP H: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
Cristiano Ronaldo is on track to open his fifth straight World Cup finals by facing Ghana.