After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the USA have high ambitions to top the group ahead of England, with the youngest and arguably most talented side in American history.
The reigning Concacaf champions are the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup this year, boasting an average age of 24.5 years, and an increasing number of their players feature for top European sides.
Midfielders Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams have had an impressive start to life at Leeds under fellow American Jesse Marsch, while left-back Antonee Robinson is a regular starter for Maco Silva’s Fulham.
Meanwhile, right-back Sergino Dest recently joined Juventus’ Weston Mckennie in Serie A after making the move to AC Milan on loan from Barcelona.
However, Gregg Berhalter will look to an out-of-favour Christian Pulisic to lead his side to glory in Qatar, and it was ‘Captain America’ who scored the hat-trick against Panama in May which sent them to the World Cup. Despite a lack of consistent playing time at Chelsea, the 23-year-old winger is always a top performer for his country.
The USA will be hoping that the so-called ‘golden generation’ of American football can match their best run in the competition, which was a third-place finish during the first-ever World Cup in 1930. However, most USA fans see Qatar as an opportunity for a youthful side to gain valuable experience ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.
Manager: Gregg Berhalter
Star player: Christian Pulisic
One to watch: Brenden Aaronson
World Cup finals appeared in: 1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Fixtures: Nov 21 - USA v Wales; Nov 25 - England v USA; Nov 29 - Iran v USA
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ
Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 340hp @ 6,000pm
Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
