Both sides' 2022 FIFA World Cup campaigns will kick off with a relatively even match-up, ranked 16th and 19th in the world respectively.
While the stars and stripes are the slight favourites to take this stage match, it is only by a slim margin.
The USA and Wales are both made up of young players who will be keen to impress on the world stage, and while both squads will look for their young stars to step up, the experience and leadership from their veterans will certainly be a difference-maker.
The USA unit is the second youngest in the tournament, averaging 25.2 years of age with only a handful of players over the age of 30.
Captain Christian Pulisic is just 24 years old himself and Qatar will mark his first World Cup appearance, the USA having failed to qualify in 2018.
Meanwhile, Wales captain and star player Gareth Bale has more international goals to his name (40) than the entire squad combined (33), outside of vice-captain Aaron Ramsey.
Youngs stars expected to shine
USA fans will look forward to seeing Brenden Aaronson, Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie take to the pitch in Qatar. The American young guns make up an exciting team who are looking to make a name for their nation on the world stage, once again.
Wales will look to Brennan Johnson and Daniel James to step up. The squad will be keeping a close eye on 23-year-old Tyler Roberts, who is nursing a recurring calf injury.
The value of veterans
Enough cannot be said for the value of leadership on the pitch, and off.
The World Cup attracts viewership numbers in the billions; the 2018 edition amassed 3.57 billion viewers globally.
The figures are staggering - unfathomable, even.
It is not lost on anyone that the World Cup is the pinnacle of football. This is the moment these players have trained for from the moment they kicked a ball.
It is the veterans who have taken this stage before; who know what it is like to play with the eyes of half the world’s population upon them. Qatar, making their World Cup debut, quailed under the pressure of the world spotlight in their loss to Ecuador.
Young players are certain to look to the vets on their squad for guidance as they navigate the nerves and immense pressure of the moment.
In this USA v Wales match-up, it may well be the side that does this best who proves victorious.
Precious experience
Wales’ appearance at the World Cup marks their first since 1958.
Captain and forward Gareth Bale is set to be a hugely important figure for his team.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Welsh players of all time, he played a crucial role in helping the country qualify for Qatar.
Following Wales’ win against Ukraine (1-0) to qualify, Bale called it “the greatest result in history for Welsh football.”
“It means everything,” he said. “This is what dreams are made of.”
Midfielder Ramsey will also play a key role for the Welsh side. Ramsey has made 75 appearances for the national team and has scored 20 goals.
For the USA, however, DeAndre Yedlin remains the only man with World Cup experience, having formed part of the 2014 team that reached the round of 16.
How to watch USA v Wales LIVE and FREE
Tuesday, November 22
USA v Wales
5:30am - 8:30am (AEDT) - kick-off at 6.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
