Does the USMNT Have to Beat Iran to Advance Out of the Group Stage?
The Americans need a victory against Iran and hope that England defeats Wales.
With the United States men’s national team recorded a scoreless draw against England in Friday’s World Cup match, the U.S. finds itself in an interesting scenario to determine if the team can still manage to advance out of the group stage.
The USMNT, who entered Friday’s game after recording a 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday, will now face Iran in its final group stage match on Nov. 29. If the USMNT defeats Iran, it will secure a spot in the knockout stage.
If the USMNT loses to Iran, the club’s hopes for making a knockout stage appearance would be very slim as only the top two teams advance out of each group stage.
More: Can the USMNT Tie Iran And Still Get Out Of World Cup Group Stage?
Like the Americans, Iran is also competing for a spot in the knockout round after defeating Wales earlier on Friday. The USMNT has made appearances in the knockout stage in six of its last 10 World Cups.
Now that USA-England has concluded, the Group B standings now sit as follows:
1. England (4 points; plus-4 goal differential)
2. Iran (3 points; minus-2 goal differential)
3. USA (2 points; 0 goal differential)
4. Wales (1 point; minus-2 goal differential)
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