United States vs Wales

Wales’ first FIFA World Cup match in over half a century pits them against the youngest side in Qatar, United States, in a curtain-raising Group B encounter at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

With an average age of 24.5 years, the United States are the youngest team in the tournament, which could prove a double-edged sword. Greg Berhalter’s men pipped Costa Rica to a third-place finish in the CONCACAF qualifying group on a goal difference alone despite a 2-0 loss in San Jose on the final matchday. Expectations are high among those back home as the ‘USMNT’ bid to reach the World Cup knockout rounds as they’ve done in four of their last six appearances in the tournament. Beating Wales could be a progression-defining achievement for the US, yet after only winning once in five matches preceding the Qatar showpiece (D3, L1), that seems unlikely.

With both nations aware of the significance of not losing their opening World Cup showdown, a cagey affair looks likely to be in store, especially given Wales’ situation. Having lost four of their last five UEFA Nations League matches (D1), the ‘Dragons’ will unlikely give too much away in their first World Cup outing since 1958! Rob Page’s men navigated the dreaded playoffs past Austria and Ukraine to reach only their second-ever final tournament. Historical facts have no real bearing here, considering Wales’ last World Cup appearance took place long ago, but the present doesn’t look bright. In addition to suffering relegation to League B earlier this year, Page’s lads have kept just one clean sheet across their last 11 internationals. At least they’ve scored on as many occasions in that run.