John Riordan: Iran-US showdown brings split loyalties and political overtones

POLITICAL FOOTBALL: An image of Christian Pulisic of USA adorns a skyscraper in West Bay ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha. Picture: Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

After a seismic failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, an almost completely regenerated United States squad flew to Doha last week with the second youngest average age of player, a shade older than Ghana.

2017’s failure sparked a clearout just as their most talented generation was beginning to bloom. Meanwhile, the awarding of the 2026 World Cup to the US, Canada and Mexico that same year offered added tailwind.