The draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has spawned its traditional ‘group of death’. Coming from hat 1, Spain has, unfortunately for her, inherited the German scarecrow. Japan, which came out of the last World Cup with honors by the Red Devils after a memorable match, will have a lot to do to hope to grab a qualifying place. Finally, New Zealand or Costa Rica, who will play an intercontinental play-off match on June 13 or 14, will want to defy the odds.
Decryption of this famous group E which is likely to give cold sweats to the supporters.
Spain: youth in power
After a disappointing elimination in the 1/8 finals of the 2018 World Cup against Russia, Spain seems to be reborn from its ashes. La Roja indeed remains on superb performances on the international scene: a semi-final lost on penalties against Italy at the 2020 European Cup (1-1) and a defeat in the final of the Nations League against the French world champions (1-2).
Driven by a promising new generation, the Spaniards are once again dreaming of reaching the heights of football. And the awakening of FC Barcelona is certainly no stranger to this. After a nightmarish start, the Catalan club once again crushes everything in its path. Young Pedri, Gavi or Adama Traoré turn the heads of opponents and learn the tricks of the trade from the great Xavi. Good omens for La Roja!
Germany: the sleeping giant
Even if the Mannschaft has experienced terrible disappointments in recent years, it would be a mistake to bury this football ogre too quickly.
The defeat against the Three Lions at Euro 2020 was synonymous with the end of the adventure for Joachim Löw. The team had probably arrived at the end of a cycle and the arrival at its head of Hansi Flick to re-motivate the troops can only be good news. The coach, who has won everything with Bayern Munich, will have a lot to do to try to renew a Germany that is still looking for itself.
The similarities with Bayern during the 2019 season should also serve as a warning to opponents: the Bavarians had a disastrous start to the season before he took over the team and managed to grab a historic sextuplet.
Group E has been warned!
Japan: the Blue Samurai in ambush
Faced with the two favorites of the pool, the Japanese will have to show their best side if they want to hope to move on to the next round.
For this, they will be able to trust several players playing in our championship. Genkois Ito and Unionist Mitoma will want to be present and prove that they have their place in this world. They can obviously count on the talented Minamino (Liverpool) and Kubo (on loan from Real Madrid to RCD Mallorca) who will have to assume their status as star players of the Japanese team.
New Zealand or Costa Rica: the unknown in the equation
The two teams are due to face each other on June 13 or 14. Whoever wins the encounter will be the question mark in this Group I.
Aside from Keylor Navas, Chris Wood and Bryan Ruiz, ex-Jupiler Pro League player, no snoring no really stands out in these two nations. The little thumb that emerges victorious will try to avoid being a bird for the cat.
A World Cup would obviously be no surprise and it could well be one of these two teams.
