U.S. gets England in World Cup Group Stage

Friday's draw couldn't have worked out any better for the United States men's national team, as they backed into the World Cup on Wednesday night.

The United States will return to the World Cup for the first time in four years, and will face England, Iran and the winner of a European playoff.

The USA will face either Wales, Scotland or war-torn Ukraine on the opening day of the World Cup in 2022. The middle game of the group stage will be against England on Black Friday. Iran closes out the American's three guaranteed games in November. Group B may be the feared Group of Death. Iran would be the lowest ranked team in the USMNT if Wales advanced. You would be wrong. This is a dream group for the U.S.

In the knockout stages of the tournament, teams in other groups have more experience. England, the top-ranked team in Group B, is an opponent that many North American teams won't fear. Costa Rica would face a challenge from Spain and Germany if it advanced past New Zealand. Canada will only advance to the Round of 16 if it finishes better than Croatia in Group F.

Here is a look at the groups.

In the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, the USA and England played to a1–1 draw, which was best remembered for the huge blunder from British goalkeeper Robert Green, who allowed a soft Clint Dempsey shot to roll out of his grasp and over the goal line. The Ted Lasso and the Three Lions are going to be epic. Iran and the U.S. faced off at the 1998 World Cup, where the Americans didn't pick up a single point.

The American-Iranian match was dubbed the most politically charged game in World Cup history because of the political relationship between the two countries. Iran, the team listed second on the matchday sheets, needed to walk toward the first team listed, the United States, for pre-game handshakes. A group photo was taken after the Iranian team was told not to walk towards the Americans.

Scotland, Ukraine and Wales have never been faced by the Americans at the World Cup. The European play-in between Scotland and Ukraine was delayed because of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The winner of that playoff will face Wales in a qualification match. Who wouldn't be rooting for the success of Ukraine on the world stage? The quality of Bale would be the toughest challenge the USA defense has faced in a long time. Scotland and England would be in the same World Cup group.

One of three scenarios were guaranteed to play out as Iran was placed alongside England and the USA in Group B. The quartet would have been completed by either Africa or Europe. The Americans got the path of least resistance. The United States and Ghana would have faced each other in the tournament for the fourth time. It was as impressive as any African country in World Cup qualification.

The USA has a clear path to win Group B because of its deep talent pool, with a beatable second-place team coming out of Group A, a return to the quarterfinals is possible. The path to crashing out of the World Cup is believable. Most teams in the tournament can be defended by Iran. England has potential, but it falls short often. The third U.S. opponent will have attacking options.

If the US is going to have a World Cup tune-up against the USMNT, Berhalter needs to place calls to any European country willing to do so. Getting on the field against Serbia or Switzerland would help prepare the U.S. for the real thing. The Americans will have a slight advantage because of the domestic players Berhalter calls in. The World Cup will cause most worldwide leagues to break from their seasons. Major League Soccer will be done by the opening ceremonies. There will be many MLS call-ups to Qatar. Do you think the USMNT will play in the event without some of their players? The cut-off is 23 players.

Friday was a great day for the U.S., and they have a lot of time to prepare for the European team. After sitting out the World Cup, the biggest hurdle has already been crossed. Until the tournament ends, the long-term progress with hosting is under scrutiny. Any chance Berhalter has to lead the US at a home World Cup can be over in a heartbeat. The USA's uninspired play away from the States in recent months, myself included, could be shut up by Greggy.