USMNT World Cup 2022 Betting Preview: US Men’s Soccer Outlook for Qatar

The U.S. Men’s National Team will head to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup this November, four years after failing to qualify for the tournament in Russia back in 2018

During the 92 years since its inception, the United States has never won the men’s World Cup. In fact, the furthest the U.S. has ever advanced in the tournament was the semifinals during the first-ever World Cup in 1930.

This will mark the 11th World Cup appearance for the USMNT, with eight occurring since 1990. However, the embarrassment of missing out on the 2018 tournament in Russia forced the United States to take a hard look at its program and make sweeping changes to its player pool.

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Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Tim Howard were replaced by an exciting young core led by Christian Pulisic. The United States now has arguably the most talented roster in the nation's history, with names such as Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, Sergiño Dest, and Antonee Robinson.

However, if the United States is going to make a Cinderella run at the world championship, they will first need to navigate through the group stage. This will include tough matchups against England, Wales, and Iran in Group B.

How far will the USMNT advance in this year’s World Cup? Let’s look at the current betting lines and make a prediction.

USMNT World Cup Odds

Qualify For 2nd Round (+110)

Win Group B (+600)

Reach Quarterfinals (+450)

Reach World Cup Final (+4000)

Win World Cup (+15000)

Christian Pulisic: Top Tournament Goal Scorer (+8000)

(US soccer World Cup odds are provided by PointsBet Sportsbook and are current as of Monday, July 25.)

Interestingly enough, sportsbooks believe that the United States will have an easier time reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup (+450) than outperforming England during the group stage (+600).

The USMNT is currently a slight favorite over Wales to be the second team out of Group B to qualify for the 2nd round (+110), with most sportsbooks listing each team as neck and neck.

The two nations will meet during the opening day of Group B competition on Nov. 21, with the United States (+155) currently projected as the winner over Gareth Bale and the Wales National Team (+190), with a draw coming in at +205 odds.

On Nov. 25, the U.S. takes on England in what will likely be one of the most popular games to bet on during the tournament. Current betting lines have the United States as a heavy underdog (+425) to the Three Lions (-152).

This matchup will take place during the second round of Group B fixtures, guaranteeing that the result will carry drama.

Overall, the United States is listed at +15000 to win the 2022 World Cup, with Pulisic coming in at +8000 to lead the tournament in goals scored. Of course, it will be an uphill battle for either wager to succeed, but let’s consider what you should expect from the USMNT.

USMNT Projected World Cup Starting XI

Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Jesus Ferreira

Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Brenden Aaronson or Yunus Musah

Defenders: Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, and Aaron Long

Goalkeeper: Matt Turner or Zack Steffen

Goalkeeper

The biggest question surrounding the USMNT starting eleven at the World Cup will be who is starting in goal between Matt Turner and Zack Steffen.

A month ago, I would have given the edge to Turner, but given his recent move to Arsenal to be a backup to Aaron Ramsdale, this may no longer be the case. In addition, Steffen chose to leave Manchester City to play consistent minutes with Middlesbrough, allowing him to stay in top form.

Playing time is critical leading up to the World Cup, and Turner is unlikely to see the field very often, giving Steffen a clear advantage.

Defenders

The U.S defense was pretty much set with right back Dest, left back Antonee Robinson, and center back Walker Zimmerman. However, due to an Achilles injury to center back Miles Robinson, Aaron Long of the New York Red Bulls will likely join the trio in the USMNT’s starting eleven.

Chris Richards is another name to watch due to his high-ceiling play, and the 22-year-old could find himself in the mix if he can impress during his time with Bayern Munich before the World Cup.

Midfielders

The next most prominent question on team USA is who will be occupying the third starting midfielder position next to McKennie and Adams. My choice to fill the vacant position is Aaronson, who played very well as the central midfielder versus Morocco in front of Adams and McKennie.

However, there is a strong possibility that Yunus Musah could slide in as the left midfielder, given his experience playing in La Liga for Valencia. This could allow Aaronson to potentially shift between midfield and right wing due to his versatility.

Forwards

At the forward position, team captain Pulisic and Weah are absolute locks to lead the United States offense at the World Cup. The only question is who will join the two wingers as team USA’s striker.

Early favorite Ricardo Pepi has not performed well for FC Augsburg, which led the United States to remove the 19-year-old from their summer fixtures. This opens the door for FC Dallas’ striker Jesús Ferreria as the most likely candidate to crack the USMNT’s starting eleven.

That said, perhaps the United States could look to play with a false nine, add Reyna to the starting lineup, and install their best-attacking combination for the World Cup.

USMNT World Cup Prediction

USMNT Eliminated in Round of 16

The top two teams from Group B will move on to the Round of 16, where they will take on the winner (or runner-up) from Group A, which includes the Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar.

However, the challenge of moving on to the quarterfinals will not be an easy one.

Group A favorites the Netherlands, led by Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Virgil van Dijk, will look to convert three losing efforts in the World Cup finals by the Dutch national team into their country's first championship.

Meanwhile, the team from Senegal is an exciting sleeper to make some noise during the tournament due to their star power, which includes African Footballer of the Year, Sadio Mane, as well as Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Stout on defense, this is a country to watch if searching for an upset.

If the U.S. can qualify as the runner-up from Group B, a showdown with the Netherlands will likely occur in the last-16. Louis van Gaal’s Dutch team is currently the 7th-favorite among 32 teams to win the World Cup and will be very difficult to beat.

The United States Men’s soccer program is heading in the right direction, but they are still a step behind when it comes to global competition.

USMNT World Cup Best Bets

USMNT Qualify for Last 16 from Group B (+110) at PointsBet

If betting on USMNT in the World Cup, qualifying for the last-16 is far and away the most likely path to profit.

The biggest challenge facing the United States in Group B will be England. However, their showdown with Wales will likely determine the second team to qualify for the Round of 16.

Wales is making its first World Cup appearance since 1958, and while they may have the most explosive player on the pitch in Bale, they fall short in depth compared to the United States.

It will not be a walk in the park, but I expect the USMNT to advance out of Group B and would bet the +110 odds.

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USMNT Group B Winner (+600) at PointsBet

England is currently the heavy favorite to win Group B, but their recent UEFA Nations League performance left much to be desired.

If the United States can steal a point in their matchup with England, they could build an edge in goal differential during their matchups with Iran and Wales.

This could create a scenario where the USMNT could win Group B without actually having to defeat England. Of course, a win would certainly make things easier.

Bet on the USMNT at PointsBet Sportsbook.

USMNT Reach Quarterfinals (+450) at PointsBet

As stated above, I do not expect the United States to advance past the Round of 16. However, this may be the best opportunity to make a decent profit if compelled to bet on the USMNT in the World Cup.

Pulisic can go on a hot streak and carry the U.S. into the next round if the team can get a strong effort from Turner and their midfield.

Place this USMNT wager at PointsBet Sportsbook.