CNN
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Spain and Germany will face off within the headline act of the group levels on the 2022 World Cup after the draw for the event was made in Doha on Friday.
Group E is undoubtedly probably the most intriguing, with the Spanish and Germans joined by Japan and both Costa Rica or New Zealand, with their deciding playoff match scheduled for June 13 or 14.
Germany will definitely be hoping the match will likely be nothing just like the earlier assembly between the 2 nations, as Spain ran riot in a 6-0 victory throughout the Nations League in 2020.
Host nation Qatar will play Ecuador within the opening match of the World Cup and are additionally joined by the Netherlands and Senegal in Group A.
Qatar has comparatively latest expertise of enjoying South American nations after being invited to the 2019 Copa America. The Qataris acquitted themselves nicely, making Argentina work laborious for a 2-0 win and incomes a well-deserved pointed in opposition to Paraguay.
France, winners of the 2018 and 1998 World Cups, have been drawn into Group D with Denmark, Tunisia and the winner of an Intercontinental play-off – both Australia, United Arab Emirates or Peru.
Group B additionally provides up a variety of fascinating clashes, with 2018 semifinalists England going through the USA, Iran and certainly one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.
The final time England confronted the USA at a World Cup was again in 2010 – and it’s a match that also offers English followers nightmares.
A calamitous error from then goalkeeper Rob Inexperienced gifted the Individuals an equalizer after Steven Gerrard had opened the scoring for England.
Ghana has additionally been supplied a change of revenge of kinds after being drawn in Group H alongside Uruguay.
In 2010, Luis Suarez infamously used his palms to dam Dominic Adiyiah’s goalbound effort on the road within the dying seconds of their quarterfinal.
Asamoah Gyan missed the following penalty – leading to Suarez working down the tunnel in celebration – and Uruguay finally reached the semifinals after a penalty shootout.
Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly showing at his final World Cup, and South Korea full Group H in what is going to maybe be one of many trickier teams to foretell.
Qatar 2022 may also seemingly be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup for Argentina. Like Ronaldo, the 34-year-old has by no means received the World Cup however got here agonizingly shut in 2014, shedding out to Germany within the last.
Below Lionel Scaloni, the Argentines are in a significantly higher place than they have been 4 years in the past in Russia and will definitely be assured of advancing out of group that features Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Canada’s reward for qualifying for a primary World Cup in 36 years is a showdown in opposition to two of European soccer’s main protagonists lately. Belgium, long-time world No. 1 till just lately being dethroned by Brazil, and 2018 finalists Croatia will present stern checks.
So too will Morocco, who boast proficient stars reminiscent of Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
Friday’s ceremony was introduced by actor Idris Elba and sports activities broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury and was attended by 2,000 company.
The draw itself was led by former gamers Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas and worldwide sports activities presenter Samantha Johnson.
They have been helped by a variety of soccer greats, notably Brazil’s Cafu, German Lothar Matthäus, Iran’s Ali Daei, Jay-Jay Okocha of Nigeria and Australian Tim Cahill.
Group A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
Group B
England
Iran
United States
Wales or Scotland or Ukraine
Group C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
Group D
France
Peru or United Arab Emirates or Australia
Denmark
Tunisia
Group E
Spain
Costa Rica or New Zealand
Germany
Japan
Group F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
Group G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
Group H
Portugal
Ghana
South Korea
Uruguay
The World Cup begins on November 21 and is scheduled to conclude on December 18.