Al Bayt Stadium, the most northern venue of the Qatar World Cup, will host the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
DOHA, Qatar — Mailbag time! We’re here, and the World Cup starts Sunday (Qatar-Ecuador) with the USMNT’s opening game coming Monday against Wales. Feel free below to ask your probing, thoughtful and/or amusing questions about any World Cup topic, and I’ll answer the best ones tomorrow. Thank you!
Any thoughts on our Concacaf brethren? Obviously my passion and focus is on the USMNT but I will be rooting for Canada, Costa Rica, and El Tri (in that order ;). What’s your best guess on how many Concacaf teams get out of the group stage?
I love this question, Rich. I am of the same mindset once the World Cup begins - Go CONCACAF! Although, my order of priority is slightly different - USMNT, El Tri, Canada, Costa Rica...golf, Madrid :)
What is the fan atmosphere like? I’m trying to feel the pre-World Cup hype over here in Bellingham, WA, USA but all I see in my feeds is coverage of fake fans, smashing Danish cameras, expensive Budweiser, and hassling you for taking a pic. Is anyone having fun? Is it a total bust from a fan perspective? Thank you for your excellent independent on the ground coverage so far!
I’m flying in with a group of 8 for both Group A vs Group B knockout round games. We would normally bar hop while we watch the games but obviously that’s…not super possible. You’ve been to Doha a few times now, so when we aren’t at matches what do we…do?
The big topic of discussion amongst my friends and I over the last month has been the powder keg that Qatar will be once the games get underway. It is one thing to have protocols (laughably inadequate based on the ones you shared) for handling various situations (drunk fans, PDA, etc...), and quite another to actually handle those situations under pressure.
I am very concerned that the folks on the ground charged with handling the 100K+ visitors (likely to include people solely going to cause havoc and make an example of Qatar for their cause) are simply not equipped to deal with what they are about to face and will be conflicted between the protocols for the WC, and the norms and training they have made a career of enforcing in Qatar.
I hope I am wrong and the event goes smoothly, but I am not optimistic. Curious what your take is after being there a few days now and if you have had conversations with colleagues about this specifically.
Will Poland's Karol Swiderski (Charlotte), running alongside Robert Lewandowski, be the leading MLS goalscorer in the tournament? Which MLS players might have the biggest overall impact?
The topic of mixing politics and sports is always fraught. Some people believe that politics should stay out of sports, which is essentially just another form of entertainment. But then we have the historical examples of figures like Tommie Smith and John Carlos (1968 Olympics), Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and so many others, who have used their platforms in sports to generate significant, important discussions about issues of social justice, racism, LGBTQ rights, etc. In light of your recent post about the new poll about American fans' feelings about Qatar hosting this World Cup, where do you fall in this debate, Grant? Should players speak out? Should teams protest? Should fans?
Seconded. Which group game is a MUST watch? Which group game will have the greatest impact on the overall tournament? (For the US, it’s got to be Wales. CANNOT lose to Wales and get through without help.)
You've mentioned that you're living with your three really talented journalist friends when you're in Qatar. How neat is it to connect with journalists from around the globe covering this tournament every four years and share different perspectives? I'm sure the conversations you guys have while living together are quite unique.
As a follow-up to this, have you had much interaction with the English press at this point? Are they being smug and dismissive of the qualities of the other countries in Group B (as they typically are when it comes to England at major tournaments)? Do you sense a similar attitude that generated the classic "E-A-S-Y " back-page headline from the British tabloids prior to the 2010 World Cup?
Is there a marked absence of female fans?? I googled the Qatari pop'n, and the ratio is approx. 75% male to 25% female. I've been to three World Cups myself (skipped this one for many reasons), and I'm wondering if the TV fan shots will reflect a skewed gender display. We love soccer too, ya know!
Is Greenland 🇬🇱 really joining the Concacaf? Do you think it’s possible for teams in Central America to fly to Greenland for games in Nuuk? And if not where else should Greenland go? They deserve to participate like everyone else.
Thinking outside of the box. What potential line up & formation could we see that has not been discussed or seen before i.e 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1. What player may be featured that we haven't talked about in those formations?
I was thinking along these lines. A 3-5-2 would seem likely to get the most talent on the field, in the best position to succeed. But I'm wondering whether it's just too late to put a different system in place.
Should the US federation start something similar to the Aspire academy the Qataris started a while back that helped them win Asia’s cup and build a much better team? Should we get young talented players from overseas to come to the US, become citizens at a young age so they become adult super stars with USMNT later on? What’s the ethics of that in your opinion?
Too late for your mailbag for Friday but here’s a question - what’s the likelihood a female ref is a part of a Qatar game? Or even better - an Iranian game?
Just over two weeks ago there was a slew of articles that came out sharing news that World Cup organizers were flying fans from each participating country out for the opening ceremony and match, having recruited them through people in their Fan Leaders Network. Many of the articles either claimed directly, or made it sound like ALL these fans were being asked to positively promote Qatar and report others who were criticizing the host nation, with some using the word “spies” in their headlines. Less condemning headlines focused on the fact that fans would be asked to sing a chant from their country during the opening ceremony, but nonetheless sensationalized this aspect with headlines like “Qatar gives fans all-expenses-paid trips to sing at the World Cup ceremony” or “Qatar Offered Fans Free World Cup Trips, but Only on Its Terms”, followed by article body copy that stated fans “will be required to abide by contracts that will require them to sing what they’re told to sing,” or that “They will perform a chant or song specific to each country, chosen by the organizers.” Now that the 32 selected chants have been announced (US fans will be singing the ubiquitous “We Love Ya” melody), I wonder what you, as an independent journalist, think about what seems like a practice by ‘employed’ journalists to sensationalize even the most mundane aspects of an event / organizers they have grown used to criticizing. Is it counterproductive a la “the boy who cried wolf” fable or is it crucial to furthering a worthy cause and calling attention to absolutely everything their target might be guilty of? Help us understand a journalist’s perspective on this.
With 37 players from MLS in Qatar, what impact will that have on the league's perception internationally? Will it move the needle much with international audiences and/or players?
What do you think about the Ronaldo situation and how it will affect Portugal? Other than France, if you had to choose a big team to get upset, would it be Portugal or another team?
You just published your bracket. Focusing in the US - dream scenario on if the team takes the group over England who do they beat or not beat in the next round. If they hold 2nd in the group what needs to be done to beat Netherlands? Just some fun prognostications;-)
Can this world cup be considered a success if we don't get out of the group stages? Personally, I fear a repeat of the 1998 World Cup.. Zero wins, zero goals.
Considering our number of quality guys meaning someone has to start on the bench, would you agree that starting the fragile Reyna is less risky than having him being one of the five subs?
What if Weah starts, & Gio subs him, but then Gio has yet another injury. Now we lost 2 key guys.
I just listened to your interview with Neel Shah, and I don’t understand the concept of focusing your soccer development on one tournament vs another. In India’s case they skipped the 1950 World Cup in favor of the 1951 Asian Games and 1952 Olympics, and then you said it’s similar to the US focusing on the Olympics instead of the World Cup. Isn’t focusing on soccer focusing on soccer? Now, we see the Olympic team as developmental for the senior team. Why wouldn’t this just be obvious to Indians in the ‘50s and Americans in the ‘70s?
Do you sense that one key reason the USMNT has picked a young roster (youngest at this year's World Cup) is more in preparation for the 2026 World Cup to get the "kids" the World Cup experience with only mild expectations of advancement in order to ideally make a deep run in 2026?
Chris, are there some older players you have in mind that should've been given more serious consideration for this roster? I think its simply the fact that the best talent is clearly with the younger players for this cycle. To your point, it is definitely a huge positive that they will get some very valuable experience in preparation for 2026.
FA, thanks for pressure-testing my theory...but to answer your question, not necessarily, no. I actually agree with you that the bulk of our talent is in the younger players and it seems some likely players were left off due to injury status. One of the selections that triggered this question was Haji Wright over someone like Pefok or Arriola. I know it is a fools errand to read Berhalter's mind but it got me thinking if 2026 prep didn't have something to do with it.
The 'what ifs' are fascinating with this topic. There are so many related factors to consider and so many things that may have been different if Pepi stayed at FC Dallas. In short, I'm personally of the opinion that the answer to your question is YES.
Things have not been well in Qatar in the lead-up. How concerned are you about crimes against humanity happening during the World Cup? Do you feel any sort of danger as a journalist in a hostile environment?
I do think Gregg would be conservative here and play for the point. That is a very valuable point in the opening match towards moving out of the group. I would expect Wales to do the same also. That point is so valuable to both teams' path out of the group.
Of course all three games matter for advancing, is there one specific game you see as most critical to the chances of the US making it through to the round of 16?
Has to be the first game against Wales. Need at least a point in that game, otherwise the path to the knockout stage becomes very difficult plus loads more pressure on this young team.
Seems to me if Wales is gunna trot our their 5-man-at-the-back formation, and we're intent on pressing... Aaronson at the 9 makes a lot of sense? Reyna and Pulisic are our best scorers, and Aaronson is one of the best pressing strikers/wingers in the PL... So why not put him at the false 9 with his close control and elite link up play for Pulisic and Reyna to play off of? There isn't gunna be space for Weah to get in behind... And I know Ferreira is often preferred because he can also press, but Aaronson is better at that, better in close control, and better at linking play in tight spaces... Any way you see Berhalter deviating from his oft-dogmatic tactical approach?
Grant, would love to hear your thoughts on how the US team is looking during trainings. I feel like most of us can't keep the results against Japan and Saudi Arabia out of our heads going into Monday. Also, how has the team been handling the climate?
Hi Grant,
Any thoughts on our Concacaf brethren? Obviously my passion and focus is on the USMNT but I will be rooting for Canada, Costa Rica, and El Tri (in that order ;). What’s your best guess on how many Concacaf teams get out of the group stage?
I love this question, Rich. I am of the same mindset once the World Cup begins - Go CONCACAF! Although, my order of priority is slightly different - USMNT, El Tri, Canada, Costa Rica...golf, Madrid :)
What is the fan atmosphere like? I’m trying to feel the pre-World Cup hype over here in Bellingham, WA, USA but all I see in my feeds is coverage of fake fans, smashing Danish cameras, expensive Budweiser, and hassling you for taking a pic. Is anyone having fun? Is it a total bust from a fan perspective? Thank you for your excellent independent on the ground coverage so far!
I’m flying in with a group of 8 for both Group A vs Group B knockout round games. We would normally bar hop while we watch the games but obviously that’s…not super possible. You’ve been to Doha a few times now, so when we aren’t at matches what do we…do?
The big topic of discussion amongst my friends and I over the last month has been the powder keg that Qatar will be once the games get underway. It is one thing to have protocols (laughably inadequate based on the ones you shared) for handling various situations (drunk fans, PDA, etc...), and quite another to actually handle those situations under pressure.
I am very concerned that the folks on the ground charged with handling the 100K+ visitors (likely to include people solely going to cause havoc and make an example of Qatar for their cause) are simply not equipped to deal with what they are about to face and will be conflicted between the protocols for the WC, and the norms and training they have made a career of enforcing in Qatar.
I hope I am wrong and the event goes smoothly, but I am not optimistic. Curious what your take is after being there a few days now and if you have had conversations with colleagues about this specifically.
Thank you and go USA!
Absolutely fantastic question, Andrew! Very curious about this myself.
Thank you! Fingers crossed it goes off without a hitch!
Will Poland's Karol Swiderski (Charlotte), running alongside Robert Lewandowski, be the leading MLS goalscorer in the tournament? Which MLS players might have the biggest overall impact?
The topic of mixing politics and sports is always fraught. Some people believe that politics should stay out of sports, which is essentially just another form of entertainment. But then we have the historical examples of figures like Tommie Smith and John Carlos (1968 Olympics), Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and so many others, who have used their platforms in sports to generate significant, important discussions about issues of social justice, racism, LGBTQ rights, etc. In light of your recent post about the new poll about American fans' feelings about Qatar hosting this World Cup, where do you fall in this debate, Grant? Should players speak out? Should teams protest? Should fans?
What Group Stage game are you most looking forward to watching?
Seconded. Which group game is a MUST watch? Which group game will have the greatest impact on the overall tournament? (For the US, it’s got to be Wales. CANNOT lose to Wales and get through without help.)
If you could interview Sepp Blatter today, what are your first two questions?
You've mentioned that you're living with your three really talented journalist friends when you're in Qatar. How neat is it to connect with journalists from around the globe covering this tournament every four years and share different perspectives? I'm sure the conversations you guys have while living together are quite unique.
As a follow-up to this, have you had much interaction with the English press at this point? Are they being smug and dismissive of the qualities of the other countries in Group B (as they typically are when it comes to England at major tournaments)? Do you sense a similar attitude that generated the classic "E-A-S-Y " back-page headline from the British tabloids prior to the 2010 World Cup?
Do you get the impression that the U.S. is a close team, cliquish, individualistic or something in between?
Is there a marked absence of female fans?? I googled the Qatari pop'n, and the ratio is approx. 75% male to 25% female. I've been to three World Cups myself (skipped this one for many reasons), and I'm wondering if the TV fan shots will reflect a skewed gender display. We love soccer too, ya know!
Is Greenland 🇬🇱 really joining the Concacaf? Do you think it’s possible for teams in Central America to fly to Greenland for games in Nuuk? And if not where else should Greenland go? They deserve to participate like everyone else.
Come on Grant don’t leave us hanging… Did you take the largest bedroom?  You deserve it. Having gotten there so much earlier than everyone else...
Great question - was it first-come / first-served, or paper, rock, scissors diplomacy for sleeping arrangements?
How many of the current first-choice players would you say would start on an all-time US roster?
And, in a relate question, where would he rank this team among the MNT's World Cup entries?
How’s the food?
I second this question
Thinking outside of the box. What potential line up & formation could we see that has not been discussed or seen before i.e 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1. What player may be featured that we haven't talked about in those formations?
I was thinking along these lines. A 3-5-2 would seem likely to get the most talent on the field, in the best position to succeed. But I'm wondering whether it's just too late to put a different system in place.
Should the US federation start something similar to the Aspire academy the Qataris started a while back that helped them win Asia’s cup and build a much better team? Should we get young talented players from overseas to come to the US, become citizens at a young age so they become adult super stars with USMNT later on? What’s the ethics of that in your opinion?
Are the locals welcoming?
Too late for your mailbag for Friday but here’s a question - what’s the likelihood a female ref is a part of a Qatar game? Or even better - an Iranian game?
Just over two weeks ago there was a slew of articles that came out sharing news that World Cup organizers were flying fans from each participating country out for the opening ceremony and match, having recruited them through people in their Fan Leaders Network. Many of the articles either claimed directly, or made it sound like ALL these fans were being asked to positively promote Qatar and report others who were criticizing the host nation, with some using the word “spies” in their headlines. Less condemning headlines focused on the fact that fans would be asked to sing a chant from their country during the opening ceremony, but nonetheless sensationalized this aspect with headlines like “Qatar gives fans all-expenses-paid trips to sing at the World Cup ceremony” or “Qatar Offered Fans Free World Cup Trips, but Only on Its Terms”, followed by article body copy that stated fans “will be required to abide by contracts that will require them to sing what they’re told to sing,” or that “They will perform a chant or song specific to each country, chosen by the organizers.” Now that the 32 selected chants have been announced (US fans will be singing the ubiquitous “We Love Ya” melody), I wonder what you, as an independent journalist, think about what seems like a practice by ‘employed’ journalists to sensationalize even the most mundane aspects of an event / organizers they have grown used to criticizing. Is it counterproductive a la “the boy who cried wolf” fable or is it crucial to furthering a worthy cause and calling attention to absolutely everything their target might be guilty of? Help us understand a journalist’s perspective on this.
With 37 players from MLS in Qatar, what impact will that have on the league's perception internationally? Will it move the needle much with international audiences and/or players?
What jersey are the US going to wear against Wales?
Any chance we see a non-traditional 9 at striker for a surprise lineup? Renya, Aaronson?
What do you think about the Ronaldo situation and how it will affect Portugal? Other than France, if you had to choose a big team to get upset, would it be Portugal or another team?
You just published your bracket. Focusing in the US - dream scenario on if the team takes the group over England who do they beat or not beat in the next round. If they hold 2nd in the group what needs to be done to beat Netherlands? Just some fun prognostications;-)
How do you think Berhalter will handle subs? Will we see halftime subs to get fresher legs? Will Gio play 90?
What are you looking forward to the most during your trip? Attending games, the atmosphere, culture, food?
My source says Berhalter told Steffen that Turner was #1 and Zack had a hissy fit, which led to him being left off the team. Is he right?
Full disclosure: I have no source and it’s simply a theory.
Will you please share your office World Cup bracket with us? I need to turn mine in tomorrow.
Can this world cup be considered a success if we don't get out of the group stages? Personally, I fear a repeat of the 1998 World Cup.. Zero wins, zero goals.
Hey we scored one goal in 98!😊⚽️🇺🇸
Thanks for all your work Grant.
Considering our number of quality guys meaning someone has to start on the bench, would you agree that starting the fragile Reyna is less risky than having him being one of the five subs?
What if Weah starts, & Gio subs him, but then Gio has yet another injury. Now we lost 2 key guys.
I think Reyna has to start for that reason.
Whose performance at this World Cup will make him the most money after the tournament? I.e., who is an under-the-radar player ready to break through?
Best part of the trip so far? 2-fer-1 groceries? Did you forget anything?
What can you infer about Gregg's coaching ideology/methodology after the roster announcement that may differ from your perception pre-announcement?
I just listened to your interview with Neel Shah, and I don’t understand the concept of focusing your soccer development on one tournament vs another. In India’s case they skipped the 1950 World Cup in favor of the 1951 Asian Games and 1952 Olympics, and then you said it’s similar to the US focusing on the Olympics instead of the World Cup. Isn’t focusing on soccer focusing on soccer? Now, we see the Olympic team as developmental for the senior team. Why wouldn’t this just be obvious to Indians in the ‘50s and Americans in the ‘70s?
Do you sense that one key reason the USMNT has picked a young roster (youngest at this year's World Cup) is more in preparation for the 2026 World Cup to get the "kids" the World Cup experience with only mild expectations of advancement in order to ideally make a deep run in 2026?
Chris, are there some older players you have in mind that should've been given more serious consideration for this roster? I think its simply the fact that the best talent is clearly with the younger players for this cycle. To your point, it is definitely a huge positive that they will get some very valuable experience in preparation for 2026.
FA, thanks for pressure-testing my theory...but to answer your question, not necessarily, no. I actually agree with you that the bulk of our talent is in the younger players and it seems some likely players were left off due to injury status. One of the selections that triggered this question was Haji Wright over someone like Pefok or Arriola. I know it is a fools errand to read Berhalter's mind but it got me thinking if 2026 prep didn't have something to do with it.
Conversely, Mexico has ignored it's youth in favor of experience and it could be catastrophic!
You're right, Juan. It will be interesting to see how that works out for them.
Would Pepi be in Qatar if he hadn’t left FCD for Europe?
The 'what ifs' are fascinating with this topic. There are so many related factors to consider and so many things that may have been different if Pepi stayed at FC Dallas. In short, I'm personally of the opinion that the answer to your question is YES.
Things have not been well in Qatar in the lead-up. How concerned are you about crimes against humanity happening during the World Cup? Do you feel any sort of danger as a journalist in a hostile environment?
What is your prediction for the USMNT?
Are you planning to go to the robot jockey camel races?
Scenario: USA and Wales are tied 0-0 in the 65th minute. What's your prediction for Gregg's substitution strategy?
Exactly! Will Acosta be a second half sub to help the US avoid a late Bale miracle goal? We don’t want a replay of the MLS cup!
Bale may well start Monday, and I wonder if he can even go 90 :-)
I do think Gregg would be conservative here and play for the point. That is a very valuable point in the opening match towards moving out of the group. I would expect Wales to do the same also. That point is so valuable to both teams' path out of the group.
Of course all three games matter for advancing, is there one specific game you see as most critical to the chances of the US making it through to the round of 16?
Has to be the first game against Wales. Need at least a point in that game, otherwise the path to the knockout stage becomes very difficult plus loads more pressure on this young team.
Seems to me if Wales is gunna trot our their 5-man-at-the-back formation, and we're intent on pressing... Aaronson at the 9 makes a lot of sense? Reyna and Pulisic are our best scorers, and Aaronson is one of the best pressing strikers/wingers in the PL... So why not put him at the false 9 with his close control and elite link up play for Pulisic and Reyna to play off of? There isn't gunna be space for Weah to get in behind... And I know Ferreira is often preferred because he can also press, but Aaronson is better at that, better in close control, and better at linking play in tight spaces... Any way you see Berhalter deviating from his oft-dogmatic tactical approach?
Grant, would love to hear your thoughts on how the US team is looking during trainings. I feel like most of us can't keep the results against Japan and Saudi Arabia out of our heads going into Monday. Also, how has the team been handling the climate?