US to play England, Iran and playoff winner at World Cup

The United States will open its return to the World Cup against the winner of a European playoff among Ukraine, Wales and Scotland, then face England and Iran in high-profile rematches of games played during tournaments of the past quarter-century.

The 15th-ranked Americans were drawn Friday to start against the European playoff winner on Nov. 21, the tournament's opening day in Qatar. The U.S. plays No. 5 England on Nov. 25 and closes the group stage against No. 21 Iran on Nov. 29.

“It's a good group,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said.

No. 39 Scotland hosts 27th-ranked Ukraine in June in a playoff delayed from March because of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. A few days later, the winner goes to No. 18 Wales, which advanced last week with a 2-1 win over Austria.

“Three strong teams,” Berhalter said. “Two pretty similar with Wales and Scotland and then one different with Ukraine. So we're going to have to be preparing for all three.”

European club matches are scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13, so Nov. 15 is likely the first day Berhalter will have his entire roster available ahead of the opener.

"That's the negative, is that you have very little time to prepare," Berhalter said. “Guys will come over. They will have been playing on the weekend, and we'll get them literally a week before the World Cup, and that's a challenge. On the positive side, if we advance, you get a little bit more rest as you head into the next phase."

If the U.S. advances, it would play in the round of 16 on Dec. 3 or 4 against Ecuador, Netherlands, Qatar or Senegal.

In the group stage of the 1950 World Cup, the U.S. famously upset England 1-0 at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, behind Joe Gaetjens' 38th-minute goal. The Americans opened the 2010 tournament with a