FIFA World Cup 2022 Group E: Team News, Fixtures And Predictions

At the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Group E is likely to be one of the most exciting. All four teams are strong enough to put up a serious challenge.

Spain and Germany are in the same pool, which sets up a rematch of the 2010 World Cup semifinals that could be very interesting. In South Africa 12 years ago, Carles Puyol’s goal sent Spain to the final in Johannesburg and put an end to German hopes. Vicente del Bosque’s team went on to win the prestigious trophy.

Japan, which is in the final of the 2019 Asian Cup, and Costa Rica, which won the intercontinental playoff, are also in the first phase. Japan will also think they have a chance because they have made it to the last 16 of the World Cup three times in the last five tournaments.

In the intercontinental playoff on June 14, Costa Rica beat New Zealand 1-0 to earn the last spot in Group E. On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Los Ticos will play their first World Cup game against Luis Enrique’s Spain.

World Cup Group E fixtures and match schedule

World Cup Group E teams

Spain

Spain is still in a bit of a transitional phase as the Qatar 2022 World Cup approaches. They hope to finally repeat the success they had at the 2010 World Cup.

The rise of players like Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati is a good sign for the future, but it’s still not clear if Spain will be strong enough to win the whole thing in Qatar. Still, the fact that La Roja lost to France in the final of the 2021 Nations League is another good sign.

Coach Luis Enrique hasn’t been afraid to leave out big names like David de Gea and Sergio Busquets from recent teams. With a focus on creativity, Spain will be hard to defend against because they are so creative.

• Current FIFA world ranking: No. 6 (August 2022)
• Regional ranking: 4th (UEFA)
• World Cup titles: 1
• World Cup appearances (last): 15 (Russia, 2018)
• How qualified: UEFA Group B winners: 6W-1L-1D
• Coach: Luis Enrique (Spain) since November 2019
• Key players: Pedri (Barcelona / Spain), Rodri (Manchester City / England), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City / England)

Germany

Germany will want to make up for their terrible performance at the 2014 World Cup when they try to defend their title at the 2018 World Cup. This will be the first major tournament for Germany without Joachim Löw in almost 20 years.

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Low was Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant when Die Mannschaft made it to the semifinals at home in 2006. He then took over as head coach for a 15-year run that was praised by many.

The highlight of that time was when Germany won its fourth world title in Brazil in 2014. Low left his job last year after a disappointing run at the European Championship. His former assistant, Hansi Flick, will lead an exciting new generation that wants to make up for a lost time.

• Current FIFA world ranking: No. 11 (August 2022)
• Regional ranking: 9th (UEFA)
• World Cup titles: 4
• World Cup appearances (last): 19 (Russia, 2018)
• How qualified: UEFA Group J winners: 9W-1L-0D
• Coach: Hansi Flick (Germany) since July 2021
• Key players: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany), Kai Havertz (Chelsea / England), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich / Germany)

Japan

Japan’s national team has never made it past the Round of 16 at the World Cup, but they will be hoping to do well this year.

Their team has a lot of experienced players, but they also have some talented young players like Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo. Japan also has players who have played in the English Premier League. Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal and Takumi Minamino, who used to play for Liverpool, are two examples.

Japan’s preparations for the tournament have gone well. They beat Australia to automatically qualify in the AFC region, but it’s still too early to tell how well the Samurai Blue will do against stronger teams.

• Current FIFA world ranking: No. 24 (August 2022)
• Regional ranking: 2nd (AFC)
• World Cup titles: —
• World Cup appearances (last): 7 (Russia, 2018)
• How qualified: (AFC Third Round Group B winners: 7W-2L-1D)
• Coach: Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) since August 2018
• Key players: Takumi Minamino (Monaco / France), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal / England), Maya Yoshida (Schalke / Germany)

Costa Rica

After coming in fourth place in CONCACAF qualifying, Costa Rica’s fate was decided by the intercontinental playoff. Joel Campbell, who used to play for Arsenal, scored in the third minute to help Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz beat New Zealand 1-0.

Costa Rica is best at scoring goals, but it remains to be seen if they can stop some of the stronger teams from scoring.

• Current FIFA world ranking: No. 34 (August 2022)
• Regional ranking: 3rd (CONCACAF)
• World Cup appearances (last): 5 (Russia, 2018)
• Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez (Colombia) since July 2021
• Key players: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense / Costa Rica), Joel Campbell (Leon / Mexico), Celso Borges (Alajuelense / Costa Rica)

We predict an advancement for Spain and Germany to the next stage of the World Cup.