Rob Page wants Wales to “show the world how good we are“ as they prepare to take on the United States in their opening match at the FIFA World Cup.
Wales are playing in their first World Cup since 1958 and will take on the Americans in Al Rayyan on Monday (19:00 GMT).
England and Iran, the other two teams in the group, play each other earlier in the afternoon.
Page, who became permanent Wales boss in August, says his side can compete with any team at this winter’s showpiece.
“You look at England and the USA, naturally people will talk about them as the top two and then us and Iran,” Page said.
“We know on our day, we’ve proven in the Nations League that we can more than compete. We’re new to the tournament and there might be a few surprises on the way.
“There’s no pressure on us, we’re going to enjoy it and we’re going to compete.
“We’ve earned the right to be here and I want to show the world how good we are.”
Berhalter: We have a great togetherness in the squad
USA head coach Gregg Berhalter insisted his young side can cope with the pressure and be successful in Qatar. The Stars and Stripes have the second youngest team at the tournament.
“It’s a fantastic group of guys and the maturity has grown,” Berhalter said.
“I see a tremendous amount of cocus within the team and I think it’s going to help us go for success.
“We’d love to get to the knockout stages and show what we can do.”
Ecuador beat Qatar in opening match of FIFA World Cup
Berhalter, who won the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2021 with the US after being appointed in 2018, picked out a number of threats from the “underrated” Welsh team.
“It’s a good team. They have experience, a solid backline, robust players, difference makers up top with Bale, (Dan) James and Moore. It’s a really solid team.
“For us the starting point is just matching their intensity and coming with a competitive mindset because we know that’ll be needed in the match.
“Give them credit they’re back in the World Cup after a long time off. It’ll be emotional for us after missing out on the last one.
“I think for both teams it’s about balance and using that emotion in a good way but still not taking away from the execution side of it.”
One to watch
Captain Bale has been getting match fitness in the build up to Qatar by plying his trade in the States with Los Angeles FC, where he scored a stoppage-time equaliser in extra-time to take the game to penalties which saw his side come out victorious.
Bale, 33, is Wales’ all-time leading scorer and has made no secret over his desire to do well with the national side after his commitment to the game was called into question during his time at Real Madrid.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic has been stripped off the armband after Berhalter announced in his press conference that Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams will be the captain for the US.
The forward has struggled to maintain a starting berth since joining Chelsea and has found himself in unfamiliar roles under new manager Graham Potter.
But, like Bale, Pulisic seems to bring out his best performances when pulling on the national team’s jersey and Berhalter will be counting on his former captain to propel the USA out of a tricky group.
Team news
It was announced earlier in the week that Joe Allen failed his race to be fit for the opening match. The Swansea midfielder has been suffering from a hamstring injury since September.
Wales are hopeful Allen will be fit for the other group matches, having been an integral part for them during their golden spell which has seen them qualify for two successive European Championships and now the World Cup.
Page has no other injury concerns in his 26-man squad.
Juventus’ Weston McKennie and AC Milan defender Sergino Dest are the United States’ main fitness concerns going into the match, but Berhalter is confident that both will feature at some point.
Predicted lineups
Wales: Hennessey (GK); C Roberts, Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies, N Williams; Allen, Ramsey; Bale (C), Moore, James.
United States: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Aaronson; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic.
Where to watch
The game will be shown on ITV, with coverage getting underway at 18:05.
After the USA, Wales then play Iran on Friday (10:00 GMT) before taking on England on 29 November.
