The groups for the 2022 World Cup were drawn at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday evening. It won’t be easy for Germany in Group E with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica or New Zealand. Brazil also got a tough draw.
Germany will face Spain (27 November), Japan (23 November) and the winner of the play-off between Costa Rica and New Zealand (1 December) in Group E. In Russia, the Spaniards were last eliminated in the last 16. The historic World Cup record against the Spaniards is not bad from a German point of view: the German national team is unbeaten in group matches (1966, 1982, 1994). The last time they met in the World Cup, they lost 1-0 in the semi-finals in 2010.
Neuer: “Something like this won’t happen to us twice “
“It was clear that we would get a very good opponent from pot 1. Now it’s Spain, we’ve had negative experiences there in the past. But I don’t think something like that happens to us twice,” commented Manuel Neuer via Magenta TV, referring to the 0-6 defeat to the Spaniards in the Nations League in November 2020. “We are on a good path with our national team. We have tried to usher in a new era under Hansi Flick.”
Besides that, the DFB eleven will have to deal with the uncomfortable Japanese in their first match at the World Cup. Germany has never played against them at a World Cup. The Japanese have been regulars at the World Cup since 1998. Since then, they have alternated between a first-round exit and an exit in the round of 16. The third opponent, to be played on 1 December, will be determined between Costa Rica and New Zealand in a play-off match in June. At least Germany has good memories of Costa Rica. In 2006, the summer fairytale kicked off with a 4-2 win.
“An exciting group, the tasks are not so easy,” said Hansi Flick. “Nevertheless, we have set our sights high. Japan has many players from the Bundesliga and high quality.” The national coach’s test match plans have, however, been thwarted by the draw: There was actually supposed to be a test against Japan, which will now not happen.
The national team will play another international test match immediately before the start of the tournament, as DFB Director Oliver Bierhoff announced on the fringes of the draw. It helps that “we are only playing on the third day, so we have a bit of breathing space,” said Bierhoff, who did not name the opponent, but let it be known that it would be a World Cup participant. “I’ve already spoken to one or two of them here. Of course, you first have to see what the readiness is like.” The call-up period for the finals (21 November to 18 December) does not start until 14 November.
Group A: Qatar and Ecuador to play opening match
Hosts Qatar were seeded in Group A and were handed a really tough challenge in the form of the Netherlands. African champions Senegal were also drawn. Qatar and Ecuador will play the opening match on 21 November. The obligation for the clubs to call up players begins a week earlier, immediately after the 15th Bundesliga matchday on 14 November.
Group B: England big favourites
England are clear favourites in their group. Iran, who recently made negative headlines, have always failed in the preliminary round in their five previous participations. The USA did not take part in 2018. In addition, the third opponent has not yet been determined, as the match between Scotland and Ukraine could not take place as planned due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The play-off match between the winner of that game and Wales is currently scheduled to be played in June.
Tough Group G for Brazil
In addition to Germany, Brazil also have a tough draw. The five-time world champions will face Serbia and Switzerland. This triple constellation already existed in 2018, when Brazil won the group ahead of Switzerland and Serbia. But this time, instead of Costa Rica as in Russia, Cameroon is still there and would certainly like to have a say in the game.
Doable draw for defending champions France
Defending champions France go into Group D as the heavy favourites. Alongside Denmark and Tunisia, another opponent from the play-offs awaits. The winner of the United Arab Emirates vs. Australia match will have to play Peru.
Coloured mix in Group C
In Group C, things should get interesting around two-time world champions Argentina. Besides the South Americans, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland are also in the mix. No easy task for Robert Lewandowski, as the Mexicans have always had a lock on reaching the last 16 at the last few tournaments.
The final match schedule is still being drawn up. Particular attention is being paid to ensuring that the kick-off times of the top teams are as convenient as possible for TV broadcasts in their respective time zones. The matches will be played in only eight stadiums. That is the lowest number in 44 years. The last time there were fewer was in Argentina in 1978, when seven stadiums were used.
When will the matches take place?
The time difference with Qatar is two hours ahead of the Persian Gulf country in winter. There are four kick-off times for the group matches: 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm German time. From the round of 16 onwards, the matches will only take place at 4pm and 8pm. The final will also be kicked off at 4 p.m.
Who will broadcast?
If you want to watch all 64 matches of the World Cup, Magenta TV is the right place to be. At least 48 World Cup matches will still be shown as usual on ARD/ZDF. The public broadcasters will also be showing all the matches of the German national team.
