FIFA World Cup: USA vs Wales Betting Odds & Recap

Big Match in Wide Open Group B

âš½Usa vs Whales: Game Recapâš½

Results: USA 1 – 1 Whales

The U.S. men’s national team made its long-awaited return to the World Cup stage on Monday, letting a potential win slip away due to a contribution from Wales’s danger man.

Tim Weah’s 36th-minute goal had the U.S. leading Wales in the Americans’ first World Cup match in eight years, only for Gareth Bale to score on an 82nd-minute penalty that pulled Wales level and salvaged a draw for the Welsh.

The U.S. dominated the first half and looked like a team ready to prove something on the world stage. They had quick passes and exceptional pressing, and everyone knew their roles.

However, the second half was a different story. Wales brought on striker Keifer Moor at the half and changed the match completely.

The U.S. could not adapt to Wales’ new target man, and Wales was able to stage a late comeback.

The U.S. infamously missed the 2018 World Cup by failing to qualify and spent the last four years rebuilding the program. But if eight years between World Cups seems like a while for the U.S., consider Wales, which last reached the World Cup in 1958. For some, that 64-year wait was an eternity, but with Bale, Wales has one of the most accomplished and clutch players in the competition, and he came through after being fouled by U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman.

Going into the match, Wales and the U.S. had fairly even odds, with Wales being the slight underdog at +105. The U.S. was the favorite at -125. The match looked like it would go in the U.S.’s favor, but thanks to Bale’s penalty, it ended in a draw listed at +200. Those who bet on the draw must have been buzzing after Bale’s late goal!

📊 Team Stats 📊

USA USA–WAL Wales
59%Possession41%
6Total Shots7
1Shots on Target3
4Shots Wide3
1Shots Blocked1
2Saves1
5Corners3
4Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
15Fouls10
1Offsides1
87%Pass Accuracy76%
2Dribbles3
30Crosses14
12Tackles18

Did We Get It Right?

Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 15, 2022.

Long Wait Over for Wales

FIFA World Cup Group B action kicks off on Monday with England vs Iran followed by USA vs. Wales. England are expected to go through to the knockout stage but it’s anyone’s guess who the second team will be. That makes this USA vs. Wales matchup crucial for both sides. Incredibly, this will be Wales’ first World Cup match in over 60 years. Let’s take a look at the USA vs Wales betting odds in what should be an intriguing match.

USA vs Wales

Date, time (TV):
Location: Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming: FOX, Telemundo

Team Standings and Odds:

TeamFIFA World RankingWorld Cup Qualifying RecordOdds to AdvanceOdds to Win GroupOdds to Win World Cup
USA167-4-3, 3rd CONCACAF+110+550+15000
Wales196-3-1, 2nd UEFA Group EEv+600+20000

Head-to-Head:

All MeetingsTeams
May 2003:USA 2-0 Wales
Nov 2020:Wales 0-0 USA

The USA and Wales have met on two occasions, which were both friendlies. In 2003, the US defeated Wales 2-0 in San Jose. Wales hosted the USA in a behind closed doors friendly in November 2020 due to COVID restrictions.

Fans wouldn’t have had much to see anyway, as the match finished scoreless. Wales are looking for their first-ever goal vs. the USA on Monday. The match is expected to be quite competitive as the USA vs Wales betting odds list it as a pick’em.

USA Relying on Youth

  • Upcoming Matches: Nov. 25 vs. England, Nov 29 vs. Iran

After the embarrassment of missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the USA is back at Qatar 2022. Coach Gregg Berhalter has picked the youngest team in the 32-team field to usher in a new era for U.S. Soccer. Over the last couple of years, the US has been reasonably successful and taken home some silverware. With seven wins, four draws and three losses, the USA finished third in CONCACAF qualifying. Before that, they managed to defeat Mexico in both the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup finals.

Their form has been quite inconsistent in the lead up to the World Cup, though. The USA drew with Saudi Arabia 0-0 and lost to Japan 2-0 in September friendlies. Berhalter has also controversially left out both Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi from the final roster. With Matt Turner as the presumed number one keeper, the US is in safe hands, though. Other key players include center back Walker Zimmerman, midfielders Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams and forwards Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna.

The are by no means World Cup Favorites but they could be a popular pick in Group B. England’s form has been awful in the lead up to the World Cup and games vs. Wales and Iran could go either way. Only time will tell whether the youth revolution is successful or not.

Wales Back on the Big Stage

  • Upcoming Matches: Nov 25 vs. Iran, Nov 29 vs. England

The long wait is finally over for Wales. They’re back in the World Cup for the first time since 1958. The Dragons made the quarterfinals in their only previous World Cup appearance and that would be seen as a massive success here. Wales’ form has been concerning heading into the tournament which is certainly impacting their FIFA World Cup betting odds. They’ve won just two of their eight matches in 2022 and failed to win a game in their UEFA Nations League group.

Granted, they were in quite a difficult group, with Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. When it counts most, though, Wales seem to be able to get it done. They knocked off Austria and Ukraine in the World Cup playoffs to seal qualification. In 2016, when they made their first Euro appearance, Wales made it all the way to the semifinals. There are some familiar faces left over from that team, most notably Gareth Bale, Wayne Hennessey, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen.

Wales have added some promising young defenders since then, including Ethan Ampadu, Neco Williams and Joe Rodon. With Gareth Bale, Daniel James and the towering Kieffer Moore in atack, Wales could cause some problems for opposing defense. Where they could struggle, though, is in midfield. Aaron Ramsey is probably going to start but there aren’t many other reliable players in midfield.

Match Analysis and Odds:

This is expected to be one of the most competitive matches from the first batch of group stage games. USA are priced at -125 odds to cover as a pick’em, while Wales sit at +105 odds to do the same. A quick look at the USA vs Wales betting odds implies that the USA have a higher probability of winning the match. Their moneyline comes in at +165 odds, while Wales show +200 odds to win.

A draw, which occurred the last time these teams played, is also listed at +200 odds. So, any outcome here is more than plausible but a loss could be fatal for either team. With England still left on the schedule for both teams, it’s highly doubtful that three points would be enough for either side to make it through to the round of 16. So, expect the intensity in this match to be incredibly high.

Neither team is expected to take any big risks and the over/under goals total certainly confirms that. The total for the match is listed as two goals. The under is actually implied to be more likely, at -115 odds. However, Wales have conceded in each of their last five competitive international matches. Over two goals comes in at -105 odds as Wales look for their first-ever goal vs. the USA.

USA vs Wales FAQs

Is the USA in the FIFA World Cup 2022?

Yes, after missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the USA managed to qualify for Qatar 2022. Their first match is vs. Wales and they also face England and Iran.

Where is the USA vs. Wales World Cup match?

The USA faces Wales in the World Cup at Al Rayyan Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Is Gareth Bale playing for Wales at the World Cup?

Gareth Bale is on the roster for Wales at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Bale, who plays in MLS for LAFC is Wales’ all-time leading scorer.
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