The draw made by the former world champions Cafu and Lothar Matthäus in Doha gave the fans the biggest hit of the preliminary round with the duel between Spain and Germany. Matthäus, of all people, captain of the German world champion team in 1990, gave the fans the hit that was scheduled for November 27th. Japan and the winner of the Costa Rica-New Zealand play-off complete the quartet in Group E. “It’s an exciting and interesting group. The tasks are not that easy,” said the German team boss Hansi Flick in a first reaction to the draw.
Captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is thinking of making amends for the embarrassing World Cup failure in 2018 in the group phase and bitter defeats against Spain – in 2008 the Spaniards lost the European Championship final and in 2010 the World Cup semi-finals. In addition, there was a 0: 6 debacle for the Germans in the last duel with the world champion of 2010. “It was clear that we would get a very good opponent from pot one. Now it’s Spain, where we’ve had negative experiences in the past. But I don’t think something like that will happen to us twice,” said the Bayern keeper.
Holders France join Denmark in Group D with Tunisia and play-off package winners United Arab Emirates, Australia and Peru. France and Denmark have faced each other three times within six months. The duo also duels in the Nations League – in a group with Austria. After the 2-1 defeat in the play-off last week against Wales at the 2022 World Cup, the ÖFB-Elf is a spectator, as it has been since the last appearance in 1998.
Group B, like British
Speaking of Wales: The Austria conqueror around superstar Gareth Bale would survive the play-off final against the winner of the duel between Scotland and Ukraine, which was postponed to June, in Group B, which is particularly interesting due to the political background “big brother” England, but also the USA and Iran.
In addition to Cameroon, Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia also play in Pool G – this trio met in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo also has an opportunity for revenge with Portugal. Four years ago, the current Group H opponent Uruguay was the last stop in the round of 16. Ronaldo’s longtime rival Lionel Messi plays in Pool C against Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Poland.
“Biggest Show” with a stale aftertaste
The draw, moderated by British Hollywood star Idris Elba, among others, was celebrated by the Qatari hosts as a large light show with elements traditional for the emirate. Qatar’s head of state, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, walked into the main hall of the conference center as the guest of honor, with the President of the International Football Association (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, at his side. The Swiss has already praised the upcoming finals as the “best of all time”, as the “greatest show on earth”.
As the day before at the FIFA Congress, Infantino also addressed the difficult world situation without directly mentioning the war of aggression by the previous World Cup hosts Russia against Ukraine. “The world is divided, there are many arguments,” said the FIFA President. “That’s why it’s so important to bring people back together. The World Cup is a good opportunity for that. So I would like to implore all political decision-makers: please, please stop the war, try to reach out to each other and stand up for peace. I beg you.”
The Emir emphasized: “It is important that we as people on this earth approach each other.” He wished all participants “good luck”. As expected, the major criticism of the human rights situation and the conditions for foreign workers, which human rights organizations renewed this week, was not an issue at the big FIFA show.
