The first part of the USA World Cup team arrived in Qatar early Friday.
Nine of the 26 players and staff were greeted by a piano playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and people waving American flags when they checked into their hotel in Doha after a flight from New York.
Coach Gregg Berhalter and players from major league football teams whose seasons are over made the trip after the roster was announced Wednesday night at a music venue in Brooklyn.
The original line-up of players included goalkeeper Sean Johnson; quarterbacks Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman; midfielders Kellyn Acosta and Christian Roldan; and forwards Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris.
Europe-based players had to report after their clubs finished their World Cup half-time game with midfielders Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) and Yunus Moussa (Valencia) finished on Thursday night, although de la Torre haven’t played since October. 24 due to a torn muscle in his left leg.
Defender Joe Scully (Borussia Monchengladbach) and forward Gia Reina (Borussia Dortmund) were due to face each other in the Bundesliga on Friday night.
Saturday’s schedule included forward Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), goalkeeper Matt Turner (Arsenal), midfielders Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams (Leeds), goalkeeper Ethan Horvat (Luton), forward Josh Sargent (Norwich) ) and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers (Glasgow). Celtic).
Six players have Sunday fixtures: Fulham defenders Tim Ream and Anthony Robinson; Juventus midfielder Weston McKenney; Milan defender Serginho Dest, Lille forward Tim Weah and Antalyaspor forward Haji Wright.
At the World Cup for the first time since 2018, the U.S. will open Group B against Wales on Nov. 21, face England four days later and close out the group stage against Iran on Nov. 29.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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