United States VS Wales Preview | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

This is the first game of the tournament for both teams. I did a preview for the United States yesterday. The United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They did manage to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The United States drew Saudi Arabia in their last game. That game was a World cup warm-up game. This is Wales first FIFA world cup since 1958. They finished 6th in that tournament. That was the only other world cup they qualified for. It has been 64 years since they qualified for a World Cup. They missed fifteen straight World Cups. In their last match, they lost to Poland in the EUFA Nations League. That game ended in a 0-1 Poland win.

The all-time record between the United States and Wales is 1-0-1. They last played in 2020. That game ended in a 0-0 draw.

The United States has 18 goals in 12 games in 2022. That is 1.5 goals per game. While not bad isn’t great. The United States has allowed 8 goals in 12 games in 2022. That is 0.66 goals per game. The United States have been shutout four times in 2022. All of their losses have been shutouts. The United States have had six games where they did not allow their opponents to score in 2022. There have been ten USA games in 2022 where one or both teams did not score.

	MP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	PTS
United States	12	5	3	4	18	8	+10	19

Wales scored 10 goals in 9 games in 2022. That is 1.11 goals per game. Wales allowed 13 goals in those 9 games. That is 1.44 goals against per game. Wales had one game in 2022 where they got a shutout. Wales had one game in 2022 where they were shutout.

	MP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Wales	9	2	5	2	10	13	-3	8

The United States is ranked 16th. Wales is ranked 19th. The United States has been in eleven World Cups. Wales has been in two. The United States only missed one World Cup since 1990. The United States has played three more matches this year. The United States has three more wins. Wales has three more losses. The United States has two more draws. The United States has 8 more goals. The United States has has a plus 10 goal differential while Wales has a minus 3.

2022 stats

	MP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	PTS
United States	12	5	3	4	18	8	+10	19
Wales	9	2	5	2	10	13	-3	8

Goals Per Game
United States	1.5
Wales	1.11	-0.39

Goals Against Per Game
United States	0.66
Wales	1.44	+0.78

Matches Played: United States

Wins: United States

Goal Differential: United States

The United States is young and hungry. They are expected to win this match. Leaving the game with at least a draw will make the difference in if the united states advance out of the group stage. Consistency has been an issue for the USA. While they started off 2022 strong, their poor performance in their last two games leaves me worried. For Wales they might be the best team the country has ever put together. Do they have what it takes though to win close matches on the worlds biggest stage? For Wales it is a historic accomplishment to be here. Now they have to show the world what they can do.

It is the first game of the tournament for both teams. Establishing their game early on in the match will make the most difference. Outworking the other team, winning 50/50 balls, and getting to open balls first will determine who will win. This game is about who wants to advance more.

Prediction: 2-1 USA win