Spain, Germany and Japan bundled in World Cup Group of Death

DOHA, April 1 (Xinhua) — Spain, Germany and Japan have been drawn together in the so-called Group of Death for the 2022 FIFA World Cup following the draw ceremony on Friday.

Group E gathers 2010 World Cup champion Spain, four-time title winner Germany, and Asian powerhouse Japan, who entered the knockout stage in Russia 2018.

Hosts Qatar will play against Ecuador in the opening match on November 21. The reigning Asian champion who is debuting at the World Cup will also face Netherlands and Africa champion Senegal in Group A.

Five-time champion Brazil was paired with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G. Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland will meet once again since the three teams had also been allocated into one group in the last World Cup.

Lionel Messi will captain his Argentina to face Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia in Group C, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal was placed in Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.

Defending champion France is in a moderate Group D with Denmark and Tunisia. England and the United States will meet in Group B, while Belgium and Croatia, who both qualified for the 2018 semifinals, will play against each other in Group F.

The last three to-be-confirmed World Cup participants: European playoff winner (Wales/Scotland/Ukraine), Intercontinental playoff winner (Australia/the UAE/Peru) and Intercontinental playoff winner (Costa Rica/New Zealand) have been allocated into Group B, Group D and Group E respectively. All the playoff matches are scheduled for June this year.

“It will have over three million spectators here in Qatar and five billion people will watch the World Cup from home. This World Cup will simply be the best World Cup ever,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the draw ceremony.

“We hope the Qatar World Cup will unite the whole world together after the Covid-19 pandemic. As the host, we will provide the best facilities for all the teams and fans around the world to enjoy a perfect World Cup tournament,” Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani noted.

The 22nd FIFA World Cup will be held from November 21 to December 18 in 2022 at eight stadiums in Qatar. It’s the first time for a Middle East country to host the World Cup.

Draw:

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands;

Group B: England, Iran, the United States, European Playoff winner (Wales/Scotland/Ukraine);

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland;

Group D: France, Intercontinental Playoff Winner (Australia/the UAE/Peru), Denmark, Tunisia;

Group E: Spain, Intercontinental Playoff Winner (Costa Rica/New Zealand), Germany, Japan;

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia;

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon;

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea.