32 nations that qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 are drawn into eight groups, and here is the group-by-group breakdown.
GROUP E:
Spain, Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica
This group is called ‘’The Group of death’’. Strongest group of them all, with European giants Spain, World Cup champions from 2010, and four times winners Germany. Those two teams are big favorites from this group, and most likely first two places will be decided between them. Japan and Costa Rica will have to get lucky to upset those teams and advance to the next round. Two teams that advance to the next round cross path with Group F.
SPAIN: Spain won their only Word Cup 2010 in South Africa with a legendary generation led by Charles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Raul. Now they have a young and talented generation led by coach Luis Enrique who likes to play attractive attacking football. They are fun to watch even if you are a neutral supporter. Spain qualified as UEFA Group B winners. The team is packed with some of the best young players in the world such as Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri, and Ferran Torres from Barcelona. Experience will bring Sergio Busqets, Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke. There are also Rodri from Manchester City, Pau Torres from Villarreal, and Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid, all well-known names in football. They have talent and quality, but the question is are they ready yet to go all the way at this World Cup.
GERMANY: After a disappointing performance at the EURO championship last year, their long-serving coach Joachim Low stepped down, and his assistant coach Hansi Flick took over as manager of one of the most successful teams. Germany won the World Cup four times, the last time 2014 in Brazil. They qualified for this World Cup as UEFA Group B winners. As always Germany has a very strong team at its disposal. There isn't one superstar but the team is full of great players that bring good balance to all areas of the team. Bayern Munich gives most of the players for the German team, such as Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane, Joshua Kimmich, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just to name a few. Other star players are Timo Werner and Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City, and Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid.
JAPAN: This will be the eighth World Cup appearance for Japan. They qualified for the World Cup 2022 as Group B winners in Asian qualifications. The Japan team is led by coach Hajime Moriyasu. Their best players play for European clubs and bring international experience to the team. Takehiro Tomiyasu from Arsenal, Maya Yoshida from Sampdoria, Daichi Kamada from Eintracht Frankfurt, and young Takefusa Kubo from Real Madrid.
COSTA RICA: Costa Rica qualified for the World Cup 2022 after the win against New Zealand 1-0 in the international playoff. They are the lowest ranked team in the group and have a slim chance to do anything worth mentioning in this group, having been drawn against two European giants and Japan. Costa Rica is led by coach Luis Fernando Suarez, and their best players are experienced goalkeeper Keylor Navas from PSG, Bryan Oviedo from FC Copenhagen, Joel Campbell from Monterrey, and their legend Bryan Ruiz who plays for Alajuelense, the best team in Costa Rica.
