United States start looking forward to FIFA 2022 World Cup with exhibition match in Portugal

The Americans have more than five years to prepare for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (Source: File)

The United States has started turning its attention toward the 2022 World Cup, announcing an exhibition at Portugal on November 14.

The game was finalized on Monday, six days after the Americans’ stunning 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago eliminated them from the 2018 World Cup field and ended their streak of appearances at seven.

Coach Bruce Arena quit on Friday, and the U.S. Soccer Federation said it will determine an interim replacement in the coming days.
A match in Europe a few days earlier in the FIFA fixture window also is possible.

The Americans have more than five years to prepare for the World Cup in Qatar. The U.S. is not likely to play a competitive match until the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Portugal and the U.S. tied 2-2 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Portugal has qualified for next year’s World Cup in Russia.