#We Believe
The wait is over.  It’s been eight long years since the U.S. played in the World Cup. We are four years into the Gregg Berhalter system. And there are more U.S. players on international clubs than ever before in history. But will all these numbers add up to success for the USMNT in Qatar?

Let’s hope their performance in the two losses in Sept. is not an indication of what to expect from the team. Does the fact that MLS players were called in in October for a pre-World Cup fitness camp mean that weeks before the World Cup, management was still tinkering with the lineup? 

The good news is the U.S. is in a relatively easy group, facing England, Iran and Wales, with only one team ranked higher than them in the FIFA rankings. The not-so-great news,  the squad's average age is 25.48, making this the second-youngest for the U.S. in World Cup history. Only one player remains from the 2014 team, DeAndre Yedlin, creating a serious void in veteran leadership.

But these kids are alright. We’ve watched these young men fight and claw, defeat old rivals, and battle through a tough Concacaf qualifying phase. The truth is this is a team of outstanding and talented players, with many who have the international experience to not be intimidated on the world stage. They will give their all for their country.

Here we go!

USMNT World Cup Matches
Group B: Iran, England, USA, Wales
Monday, Nov. 21: USA vs Wales, 2:00 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 25:  England vs USA, 2:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 29: USA vs Iran, 2:00 p.m. ET

These are the 26 players heading to Qatar to represent the U.S. in this year’s World Cup –

The Elephant in the Room
To quote Charles Dickens — 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …' That sums up what many are feeling as we approach the 2022 World Cup–torn between the sheer joy of watching the world’s most anticipated tournament and grasping the ugliness of how we landed on the host nation. The bumpy road to Qatar began with the allegations of bribery and corruption that surrounded the bid, includes the human rights issues that have plagued the country the past seven years, and has finally wound its way to the host's expected welcoming of fans, teams and media. This will be a World Cup like no other. 

For the millions who watch on tv, not much will look different. It will be interesting, however for those in attendance. Consuming alcohol in public is illegal in Qatar. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar. And the government just recently imposed restrictions on media, barring international broadcasters from filming in official locations.

Yet despite the controversies, protests and anyone claiming it’s just morally wrong to hold this tournament, it will take place. Grown men will cry. Strangers will embrace. And one country’s team will emerge as kings of the world. The football will go on.

FIFA last week issued a letter telling all 32 world cup nations to focus on the football and not the politics of the event. They have to rationalize this and try to put some positive spin on it. There have been other examples of sports washing this fiasco, including what legacy this World Cup will have, and I’ll be reporting more on that in the next issue.

However, you stand on all of this, every four years the world comes to a collective pause to cheer their country and the world, and that will happen again in a few days. To say this World Cup will be unique is an understatement. Hopefully, what will be highlighted and remembered most will be largely positive. 

Headers: 

• FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Fatma Samoura sent a message to all nations participating in the 2022 World Cup.
• Why I’m Boycotting the World Cup in Qatar and So Should You. Howler Magazine published this article during the summer by an author who cannot, will not watch. 
• World Corrupt podcast. Men in Blazers’ host Roger Bennett and Pod Save the World’s Tommy Vietor join forces to host this six-part series that delves into the corruption, the morally bankrupt tournament and the sports washing taking place to make this World Cup palatable.

FOX, Football, and Fans – All Things World Cup
FOX Sports begins its second stint as World Cup broadcast hosts, with live coverage of every match. Telemundo is airing every match en español, and Peacock is your streaming channel. FOX coverage includes a stellar team of commentators led by John Strong and Stu Holden. Former U.S. nationals Clint Dempsey, Carli Lloyd and Landon Donovan will be making their FOX Sports World Cup broadcaster debuts in Qatar.

The network has teased the upcoming World Cup with a series of commercials starring Jon Hamm as Santa. Jon Hamm has a crush on Progressive's Flo and I love it. But he’s good as Santa Hamm too. ’Tis the World Cup campaign finds the folks in charge of running Christmas ops facing a dilemma with this year’s tournament taking place during what is normally Santa-time. Celebs pop in and out, promises are made, and we get to see cameos of the U.S. players.

As for the tournament, Brazil and Argentina are favorites to win the whole thing, with France and Germany always threats. The opening match is on Sunday, Nov. 21, and the show starts for the U.S. the next day. If you’re on the east coast, match times for the Group Stage matches are scheduled for 5, 8, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the first two weeks, then are at 10 and 2. The final will be played on Sunday, Dec. 18 at Lusail Iconic Stadium at 10 a.m. ET.  

Headers
Turkey and Fútbol. Move over pigskin, another kind of football is on the holiday menu this year. Thanks to the late date of the World Cup, for the first time ever, the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games will have company. Four Group Stage matches are scheduled for Turkey Day, including ones featuring star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.  

Soccer on Parade. Striker, the U.S. Soccer Star, officially called a balloonicle, makes its debut in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year just in time for World Cup. Striker, as tall as a two-story building, as long as four bicycles and as wide as two taxis, performs a bicycle kick in the air while sporting the red, white and blue.

Not on the Guest List. With only 32 teams qualifying, that leaves a handful of talented players who we, unfortunately, won’t get to see at the World Cup. This year is no exception. Besides Italy (not a typo), and Ukraine (favorites for obvious reasons) not qualifying, here are three notable absentees. (Read The Sporting News’ list for more) 

• Erling Haaland (Norway)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
• Zlatan Ibrahimovich (Sweden)

Keep Calm and Get a Discount. Earlier this month, FIFA announced that the Calm meditation app would be the ‘Official Mindfulness and Meditation Product’ of the FIFA World Cup 2022. The partnership gives free subscriptions to support all the players, coaches and training staff participating in the tournament. And for football fans—we can get a 50 percent discount off subscriptions via exclusive offers prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 and other FIFA events. Find more info and sign up here: https://support.calm.com/hc/en-us/articles/10125808637083-Calm-offered-by-FIFA.

World Cup Central

• Downloadable and printable World Cup Bracket from FIFA
• Complete World Cup TV Schedule  https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/ 
• Nicknames for All 32 Teams. Fans of France–Les Bleus? Supporting Spain–La Furia Roja? Brush up now so you will be in the know when you cheer (curse at your screen?). Find the names and meanings here
• World Cup Delivered. Subscribe to World Soccer Talk’s WST Insider for a free daily email newsletter with the latest news, schedule and analysis.

Brand endorsement: Puma. In August of last year, Pulisic signed a multi-year contract with the German sports company, swapping the swish of big dogs Nike for the leaping cat. With the Puma partnership Pulisic will have a chance to engage with underserved youth to develop camps and clinics, and commit to growing the sport.

Ad campaign: “Diamonds”; Volkswagen. The commercial tells the story of Pulisic’s career, comparing his pressure-filled journey to that of the development of the new Volkswagen model. It ends with a phrase we all hope is the case for one of the brightest stars of this young U.S. team–pressure makes diamonds. Watch

Memoir: Pulisic: My Journey So Far. When the path you take to play the global game starts when you are seven, winds through not one but two foreign countries and you earn a spot as captain of your national team, you’ve probably got enough material to write a memoir even though you're only 24 (!)  Publisher Rizzoli would agree, stating: American boy turned soccer star is the real-life story of every aspiring young American soccer player’s dream and the perfect book for anyone with a passion for the beautiful game. Buy

Notable Team Pre-Match Speech
Michael Sheen: Wales
After a 64-year absence, the Welsh national team has made its country proud by ending the drought and qualifying again for a berth in the World Cup. Count the actor Michael Sheen among the pleased. The Welshman, known for The Queen, and Good Omens, recently accepted an invitation to speak to the players to further motivate them ahead of the tournament. I think he nails it in this emotional performance. BTW, Wales, in Group B, play the U.S. on Nov. 21, 2 p.m .ET.