The U.S. national soccer team was drawn into Group B for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside England, Iran, and Wales.It has shaped up to be a well-balanced group and one from which USMNT supporters believe the Americans can qualify to the knockout rounds by finishing among the top two.While No. 5-ranked England are the favorites to take up one of those qualifying spots, the USA (No. 16), Wales (No. 19) and even Iran (No. 20) will feel like the second berth is within reach of results fall their way.A draw with Wales in the opening match left supporters knowing they had secured a valuable point but also frustrated that the late equalizer squandered what would have been a precious victory. However, an impre sive performance in a 0-0 draw with England brought hope back, and left the United States with a clear mi sion in the final match of the group.Here we look at what it would take for the USA to advance out of the group Chris Hubbard Jersey and what potential matchups will be awaiting in the knockout rounds.WORLD CUP DRAW BREAKDOWNS: | | | | | | TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.4210162+42.3211046-23.220021104.1201113-2For the United States, the task for knockout stage qualification is very simple: beat Iran and they're in. Lose to or draw with Iran, and they're out. It's no more complicated than that.With the way the group shakes out, three points will not be enough to win the group, because it would mean Iran would finish on four. They will need to secure five points to advance, and the only way to do that is to beat Iran.The U.S. has a small chance to win the group, but they'd need England to lose or draw against Wales. If they draw, the U.S. Austin Seibert Jersey will need to also make up their goal differential, meaning they'd have to beat Iran by five goals, which seems unlikely.Last time they competed at a World Cup, in 2014, the U.S. advanced to the knockout stage by finishing on four points, second to winners Germany and level with Portugal. They needed goal differential to see them through in that tournament. In 2010, another edition in which the U.S. advanced past the group stage, it topped the group with a five-point total, finishing ahead of England on goal differential thanks to the famous 91st minute goal by Landon Donovan against Algeria in the final group-stage match.No team has qualified for the World Cup knockout stage with three points since 1998.MORE: Beating Iran also won't be easy. The Asian side has the longest odds to escape the group despite the fact that it's a Pot 3 representative and it finished Bernie Kosar Jersey top of its final qualifying group. The U.S. has only faced Iran twice in history, and that includes an infamous lo s in the 1998 World Cup. England is one of the favorites to not only win the group but also to win the World Cup, currently with the fourth-best odds to do so.The United States is second-favorite to win the group and expected to reach the knockout round, but Wales is not too far behind.MORE: TeamOdds toQualify from GroupOdds toWin GroupOdds toWin World CupEngland-3000-350+800USA+100+550+10000Wales+115+600+15000Iran+400+1800+50000 As Group B plays on the second day of the tournament, the U.S. players will have a very quick turnaround from the break in the European club season to the start of the World Cup, with very little chance of preparation.That first match will come against UEFA playoff qualifier Wales, and a result will be nece sary if the USA can have any realistic hope of progre sing to the knockout rounds.The Americans then play against England on Black Friday, followed by a final group match against Iran that could decide who escapes and who goes home.MORE: Group Bmatch scheduleDate Match Time (ET)StadiumMon, Nov. 21England vs. Iran8 a.m.Khalifa Int'l StadiumMon, Nov. 21USA vs. Wales2 p.m.Ahmad Bin Ali StadiumFri, Nov. 25Walesvs. Iran5 a.m.Ahmad Bin Ali StadiumFri, Nov. 25England vs. USA2 p.m.Al Bayt StadiumTues, Nov. 29Wales vs. England2 p.m.Ahmad Bin Ali StadiumTues, Nov. 29Iran vs. USA2 p.m.Al Thumama Stadium If the United Terrance Mitchell Jersey States is able to qualify from the group and reach the knockout stage, it has a potential friendly draw awaiting in the Round of 16.In the more likely result that the U.S. finishes second in the group to title challengers England, the U.S. would play the team that finishes atop Group A. Since Group A automatically includes the hosts as per FIFA tradition Qatar are ranked No. 50 in the world that means the U.S. would be matching up against a group winner that will not be among the top seven teams in the world.The Netherlands is the highest-ranked team at No. 8.Group A, featuring the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador, will pose a challenge, but it's still preferred when compared to facing the likes of Brazil, Spain, and Argentina who are favorites to win other groups in the tournament.If the U.S. were to surprise and win Group B, it would instead face the second-place finisher in Group A, an even tastier po sibility. That would have fans dreaming of the chance of reaching Myles Garrett Jersey the World Cup quarterfinals an accomplishment last achieved in 2002. Lionel Me si's Argentina or defending champions France would likely be the opponent in the final eight.World Cup Round of 16 scheduleDateMatchTime (ET)StadiumSat, Dec. 31A vs. 2B10 a.m.Khalifa Int'lSat, Dec. 31C vs. 2D2 p.m.Ahmad Bin AliSun, Dec. 41D vs. 2C10 a.m.Al ThumamaSun, Dec. 41B vs. 2A2 p.m.Al BaytMon, Dec. 51E vs. 2F10 a.m.Al JanoubMon, Dec. 51G vs. 2H2 p.m.Stadium 974Tues, Dec. 61F vs. 2E10 a.m.Education CityTues, Dec. 61H vs. 2G2 p.m.LusailWorld Cup Quarterfinals scheduleDateMatchTime (ET)StadiumFri, Dec. 9QF1:1E/2F vs. 1G/2H10 a.m.Education CityFri, Dec. 9QF2:1A/2B vs. 1C/2D2 p.m.LusailSat, Dec. 10QF3:1F/2E vs. 1H/2G10 a.m.Al ThumamaSat, Dec. 10QF4:1B/2A vs. 1D/2C2 p.m.Al Bayt