Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Tom Dart

Wales: USMNT’s opening World Cup opponents and how to beat them

Wales' Gareth Bale will be one of the main threats facing the US in their opening match at the Qatar World Cup
Wales' Gareth Bale will be one of the main threats facing the US in their opening match at the Qatar World Cup. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

World Cup pedigree

Wales’ sole other finals appearance came in 1958, when Manchester United caretaker manager Jimmy Murphy led them to the quarter-finals of a 16-nation tournament with only four non-European teams. Wales advanced from a group also containing hosts Sweden, Hungary and Mexico, but without the injured Juventus star John Charles they lost to Brazil. Pele scored the only goal. Singled out for rough treatment by Hungary in the previous game, Charles’ absence is one of the most famous “what ifs” in Welsh football.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.