USMNT to reach 2022 World Cup quarter-finals - EA Sports simulation
EA Sports have announced their predictions ahead of the start of the 2022 World Cup, drawing on the FIFA 23 simulator.
The 2022 World Cup has not started yet, Argentina can be expected to lift the trophy in Qatar this winter. That’s according to EA Sports, who predict Lionel Messi and company will defeat Brazil 1-0 in the final to win their third title. The video games company, which has guessed the winners of the last three World Cups, used FIFA 23 to simulate what will happen in the knockout stages.
EA Sports used its player ratings and played out all 64 World Cup games from the group stage to the final. In addition to tipping the Argentinians to win the trophy, but the simulation also predicted that Messi will win the tournament’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
The USMNT will make it far
According to EA Sports, the United States men’s national team will be the only CONCACAF side to make it to the knockout stages in Qatar. That means that Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada will all end their participation at the conclusion of the group stage. The USMNT are expected to advance in first place in Group B, before defeating Senegal in the round of 16.
The team coached by Gregg Berhalter, who haven’t reached the World Cup quarter-finals since 2002, would then play France. According to the simulator, the USMNT will lose 1-0, but Christian Pulisic will be amongst the top scorers in the tournament with five goals in five fixtures. There is a lot of expectation surrounding the US’ golden generation in Qatar.
What is next for the USMNT?
On November 9, Berhalter will announce the 26-player USMNT roster that will be traveling to Qatar next week. The coach has been working with a series of MLS players for the past two weeks in Texas. The US are is in Group B alongside Wales, Iran and England.