Wisconsin Soccer Central

The U.S. men's national team will face a tough test just to get out of group play at the World Cup next summer in Brazil.

The Americans were drawn in to Group G along with Germany, Portugal and Ghana in Friday's draw held in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil.

Germany, a three-time World Cup winner and perennial power, and Portugal, featuring the supremely talented Cristiano Ronaldo, are ahead of the U.S. in the FIFA World Rankings, the World Football Elo Ratings and ESPN's Soccer Power Index.

Ghana is ranked significantly lower, but has been a thorn in the Americans' side during the past two World Cups: the Black Stars beat the U.S. 2-1 in the final group match in 2006 in Germany, keeping the Americans from advancing to the knockout round, then eliminated them 2-1 after extra time in the Round of 16 in 2010 in South Africa.

The U.S., making its ninth World Cup appearance and seventh in a row, will open the competition against Ghana on June 16 at 5 p.m. Central. Portugal is next on the schedule at 5 p.m. June 22, with the match against Germany closing out group play at 11 a.m. June 26.

The top two finishers in each of the eight groups advance to the knockout round, which starts June 28. The final is set for July 13 in Rio de Janeiro.

All 64 World Cup matches will be shown by ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC, though the networks have not yet announced their telecast schedule.

Editor's note: This article has been edited from its original version to reflect information that became available after posting. FIFA changed the kickoff time of the U.S.-Portugal match to 5 p.m. Central.

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