USA-Wales Fifa World Cup match set for Monday in Qatar
DOHA, Qatar (CBS/AP) -- The United States Men's National Soccer Team is set to play in their first match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Monday. USA will start Group play against Wales, the match is at 2 p.m. EST and will be aired on Fox.
USA is part of Group B which consists of the U.S., England, Wales, and Iran.
Hershey native Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson of Medford, New Jersey are hoping to help USA during their World Cup run.
Pulisic, 24, is a star forward who also plays for Chelsea F.C. Aaronson is a 22-year-old midfielder and also plays for Leeds United.
It's the country's first World Cup appearance in eight years after missing the 2018 World Cup.
President Joe Biden called the U.S. team ahead of their opener urging them to "shock'em all."
"It says POTUS. That's where it's coming from," United States coach Gregg Berhalter said, reading the phone's caller ID, according to excerpts of a video of players listening to the call.
Please hold, the President is on the line… 📞 pic.twitter.com/N6CxwOhqgN
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 20, 2022
"Coach, put me in. I'm ready to play," Biden began, echoing John Fogerty's 1985 song "Centerfield."
Berhalter and the players thanked Biden for his call, made two days before Biden's 80th birthday.
"I wish I was there to see you, I really do," Biden said. "Go, get 'em, guys. Just play your hearts out. I know you will. I know you will."
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin will be in attendance.
They are set to play Wales on Monday, England on Friday and will close out group play against Iran on Nov. 29.