As expected, the U.S. men’s national team will play a pair of Qatar-bound Asian confederation sides in late September as part of its final preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
The Sept. 23 match against Japan and Sept. 27 bout against Saudi Arabia will represent the last games the U.S. plays before group action begins less than two months later. The U.S. will play Wales, England and Iran in Group B in Qatar.
Iran is no stranger to Japan and Saudi Arabia, although both U.S. friendly opponents took part in the opposite group to Iran’s in Asia’s World Cup qualifying tournament.