World Cup: U.S. Men can advance to knockout stage with win over Iran

Due to Iran’s shocking upset of Wales last week, the U.S. World Cup team headed into their matchup with England knowing they could not be eliminated, regardless of the result.

Now that they’ve earned a draw in that match, the U.S. has a path to advance to the tournament’s knockout round.

With a win over Iran on Tuesday, the United States would finish group play with five points. That would be enough to get them through to the knockout round, with the only issue being whether they would emerge as winners of Group B, or as runners-up. With a win over Iran, the United States will win Group B if the England game against Wales ends in a victory for Wales. If England were to win that match, they would win the group, while the United States would be the runners-up.

If the match between England and Wales ends in a draw, that would give both England and the United States five points. That will require tiebreakers to determine the group winner. With the first tiebreaker being goal differential, England would win the group unless the United States beats Iran by five goals or more on Tuesday.

The United States faces Iran at 11:00 a.m. from Al-Thumama Stadium, while England and Wales kick off at the same time from Al-Rayyan Stadium.