Football Germany is waiting spellbound for the Lothar ticket!
The draw for the Winter World Cup in Qatar (from November 21) will take place on Friday (6 p.m.). And Lothar Matthäus (61) has his fingers in the pie…
The record national player, who has been in Qatar for several days and has had two trial relationships, is one of the eight draw assistants.
His order: Just not Mané and Mbappé!
In the worst case, both world stars threaten us in the preliminary round.
BILD explains the possible group scenarios for the DFB selection: the Bundesliga group (with the most legionnaires), the lucky group (the easiest opponents), the revenge group (opponents who have a score to settle with Germany) and the ranking group (with the top-ranked teams from the pots).
But the toughest would be the pot group!
Germany, as twelfth in the world rankings, is only in pot 2 – and could have to deal with three current title holders.
Biggest chunk from pot 1: world champion France with Kylian Mbappé (23). With a market value of 160 million euros, the Paris star is currently the most valuable footballer in the world.
Toughest opponent from Pot 3: Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal with Liverpool striker Sadio Mané (29/80 million euros market value).
Pot 4 faces the ugly Oceania champions New Zealand, who still have to survive the play-offs against Costa Rica.
► Where can I see the draw?
ARD and MagentaTV broadcast live from the Doha Exhibition & Congress Center. Esther Sedlaczek (36) moderates the first one, Bastian Schweinsteiger (37) is the expert. Wolff Fuss (45) comments on the TV platform. Michael Ballack (45) is in action as an expert. There is a live ticker on BILD.de.
► Why haven’t all participants been decided yet?
29 of the 32 nations are in the lots today. There are also three placeholders. With five remaining games, eight teams determine the last three participants.
► What are the rules of the draw?
Two teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into one group. The only exception: Europe! Two participants per group are allowed.
► Are the game dates set after the draw?
No! The world association wants to adapt the games to the times of the home countries, so it is still waiting for the play-offs.
► Who are the other lot fairies besides Matthew?
Brazil world champion Cafú (51), ex-Frankfurt star Jay-Jay Okocha (48), Iran legend Ali Daei (53), ex-Algeria professional Rabah Madjer (63), ex-Yugoslavia coach Bora Milutinovic (77 ), Australian Tim Cahill (42) and Qatari Adel Ahmed Malallah (60).
Pot Group
▶ France, Germany, Senegal New Zealand
In this group are the teams that are currently champions: France are world champions, Senegal African champions, New Zealand Oceania champions.
revenge group
▶ Brazil, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia
All opponents in this group have feelings of revenge: Brazil (1-7 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals). Poland (without a win in three World Cup games), Saudi Arabia (0-8 at the 2002 World Cup).
lucky group
▶ Qatar, Germany, Tunisia, Canada
These three opponents would be a bye for Germany for the round of 16: Qatar (world ranking 51), Tunisia (35) and Canada (38).
Leaderboard Group
▶ Brazil, Germany, Senegal, Peru
These opponents are highest in their pots in the world rankings: Brazil (#1), Senegal (#20) and Peru (#22).
Bundesliga group
▶ France, Germany, Japan, Ghana
These teams currently have the most Bundesliga professionals among their pots: France (35), Japan (8) and Ghana (3).
