The U.S. match schedule is set: T.B.D., then England, then Iran.

In any case that ready, america lastly realized its World Cup schedule on the World Cup draw on Friday, and it gained’t have to attend lengthy to play as soon as the event begins.

The Individuals will open the event on its first day, Nov. 21, with a match towards the winner of a June European playoff: both Scotland, Wales or Ukraine. Every of the groups would arrive with its personal World Cup story: Scotland hasn’t performed in soccer’s greatest championship since 1998; Wales hasn’t certified since 1958; and Ukraine, ought to it qualify for its second World Cup, and first since 2006, can be taking part in solely months after Russia invaded its territory.

A day-after-Thanksgiving matchup towards England comes subsequent, on Nov. 25, and america will shut the group stage towards Iran 4 days after that, on Nov. 29.

The U.S. group has earlier World Cup expertise towards its two recognized opponents. It final met England within the event in 2010, when the groups performed a 1-1 group-stage attract Rustenburg, South Africa. England had taken an early lead that day earlier than goalkeeper Rob Inexperienced surrendered one of many softest targets in England’s World Cup historical past on a long-distance shot by Clint Dempsey.

The Individuals’ final assembly towards Iran within the World Cup — in 1998 in France — was additionally the groups’ first assembly on a soccer area. Iran gained that day, 2-1, eliminating the Individuals from a event through which they finally completed final.

And whereas each groups made a present of selling peace after years of bitter political fights between their international locations, not everybody obtained within the spirit of it. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme chief, launched an announcement broadcast by state tv after the sport, congratulating Iran’s gamers.

“Tonight once more the sturdy and conceited opponents felt the bitter style of defeat at your arms,” he mentioned.