Qualified sides are now making their way to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, and USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman has let fans behind the curtain with a travel video.
The USMNT have touched down in Doha and have begun preparations ahead of a tough group that sees them face England, Iran and Wales. The USMNT failed to qualify for the last World Cup, and will be keen to bounce back and make it out of the group, just as they did in 2014.
This is the first time that a World Cup has ever been held in an Arabic country, and it's also the first time that it's taken place in the winter, mid-season. It's going to be a lot different to previous competitions, but Zimmerman has already documented the initial travel experience.
Zimmerman put together a brief, TikTok style video which documented a busy day of travel for the USMNT. First, they travelled by coach to take part in a roster reveal on stage as the final squad was announced.
But then it was time to say goodbye to the family and head first class to Doha with the squad, which took the USMNT a total of 12 hours. They were given a very respectful welcome at the team hotel as United States flags were waved upon arrival, and Zimmerman stated "It's time to get to work," as the USMNT are fully focused on the tournament.
The USMNT is made up of stars who play their domestic football all across the globe, with captain Christian Pulisic playing at Chelsea while exciting star Giovanni Reyna is in Germany with Borussia Dortmund. There are also an abundance of MLS stars, who will be well rested as their season is already over.
The European model tends to see the season run from August to May, with international tournaments taking place in the summer during their off-season. With the MLS running from February to November, their season is usually disrupted and games can go ahead without their best talent.
But in an unusual contrast, those traditions have been flipped as it's the MLS stars that will now be rested, with players from European leagues already heading to Qatar straight after playing a domestic fixture at the weekend. The turnaround is extremely quick for those stars, and the USMNT will be hoping that they can use that to their advantage.
Nine of the 26-man squad heading to Qatar with the USMNT play their football in the MLS, and will be keen to use their fitness advantage to good use. Their World Cup journey begins on November 21 as they take on Wales, who will also be playing for pride.
It's the first time Wales have played in a World Cup since 1958, and LAFC star Gareth Bale claims to feel as 'fit as ever' ahead of the tournament. Then, four days later, the USMNT take on England in what's expected to be a fiery encounter.
Their group ends with a clash against Iran, and they'll be hoping to do enough over the three games to avoid an early flight home. The USMNT reached the last 16 back in 2014, and will be looking to improve in Qatar.
