FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Draw: Spain and Germany will lock horns in the Group of Death

Following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw in Doha on Friday, Spain and Germany will lock horns in the opening match of the group stages.

Spain and Germany are joined by Japan and Costa Rica or New Zealand in Group E, with the group’s final play-off match planned for June 13 or 14.

Germany aimed for a different outcome than the previous meeting between the two sides when Spain destroyed Germany 6-0 in the Nations League in 2020.

After their World Cup opener was rescheduled to suit TV audiences in the South American nation, host nation Qatar will play Ecuador in the third match of the opening day. In Group A, they are joined by the Netherlands and Senegal.

After being invited to the 2019 Copa America, Qatar has just recently played South American countries. The Qataris performed admirably and forced Argentina to fight hard for a 2-0 victory and a well-deserved point against Paraguay.

France, the 2018 and 1998 World Cup winners, was placed in Group D alongside Denmark, Tunisia, and the winner of an Intercontinental play-off between Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Peru.

Group B also features a number of intriguing matchups, including England taking on the United States, Iran, and one of Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine.

The last time England met the United States in a World Cup was in 2010, and the match is still a nightmare for English fans. After England’s Steven Gerrard scored the game’s first goal, goalkeeper Rob Green made a costly error that allowed the Americans to tie the game.

After being drawn into Group H alongside Uruguay, Ghana has been given a chance to exact some vengeance.

In the dying seconds of their quarterfinal in 2010, Luis Suarez famously used his hands to prevent Dominic Adiyiah’s goal bound shot on the line.

When Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing chance, Suarez sprinted down the tunnel in joy, and Uruguay went to the semifinals after a penalty shootout.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 could be Messi and Ronaldo last World Cup

In what will undoubtedly be one of the more challenging groups to forecast, Portugal and South Korea complete Group H, with Cristiano Ronaldo certain to play in his final World Cup.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi will most likely play in his final World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Ronaldo also has never won the World Cup but came agonisingly close to doing so in 2014, losing to Germany in the final.

Four years ago, the Argentines were much stronger under Lionel Scaloni than in Russia. They will be optimistic about progressing out of a group including Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.

Canada dramatically qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years in a battle with two of Europe’s most prominent players in recent years. Belgium, the world’s long-time No. 1 until recently dethroned by Brazil, and 2018 finalists Croatia will be tough opponents.

Morocco will do well with talented players like Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.

2,000 people attended Friday’s ceremony, hosted by actor Idris Elba and sports presenter Reshmin Chowdhury.

Former players Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas, and renowned sports broadcaster Samantha Johnson conducted the draw.

They were aided by several football legends, including Cafu of Brazil, Lothar Matthäus of Germany, Ali Daei of Iran, Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, and Australian Tim Cahill.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw in full