Qatar World Cup 2022: Group E preview

In this article, we preview the teams in Group E and their World Cup 2022 chances – Group fixtures, route to World Cup qualification and key members of each squad.

Team Spain

Manager: Luis Enrique
World ranking: 7th
World Cup 2018 performance: Round of 16
Best World Cup performance: Winners (2010)
Nickname: La Furia Roja

Team Costa Rica

Manager: Luis Fernando Suárez
World ranking: 31st
World Cup 2018 performance: Group stage
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finals (2014)
Nickname: Los Ticos

Team Japan

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
World ranking: 24th
World Cup 2018 performance: Round of 16
Best World Cup performance: Round of 16 (2002, 10, 18)
Nickname: Samurai Blue

Team Germany

Manager: Hansi Flick
World ranking: 11th
World Cup 2018 performance: Group stage
Best World Cup performance: Winners (1954, 74, 90, 2014)
Nickname: Die Mannschaft

Group E members

Group-stage fixtures – UK time

Team Spain fixtures:

• Wednesday, November 23, 16:00 – Spain v Costa Rica
• Sunday, November 27, 19:00 – Spain v Germany
• Thursday, December 1, 19:00 – Spain v Japan

Team Costa Rica fixtures:

• Wednesday, November 23, 16:00 – Costa Rica v Spain
• Sunday, November 27, 10:00 – Costa Rica v Japan
• Thursday, December 1, 19:00 – Costa Rica v Germany

Team Japan fixtures:

• Wednesday, November 23, 13:00 – Japan v Germany
• Sunday, November 27, 10:00 – Japan v Costa Rica
• Thursday, December 1, 19:00 – Japan v Spain

Team Germany fixtures:

• Wednesday, November 23, 13:00 – Germany v Japan
• Sunday, November 27, 19:00 – Germany v Spain
• Thursday, December 1, 19:00 – Germany v Costa Rica

Route to World Cup qualification

Team Spain:

Spain was one of Europe’s top seeds going into the World Cup qualifying process.

They had to win their group, which also contained Sweden, Georgia, Kosovo, and former European champions Greece, in order to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

This meant they would only play eight games in qualification, whereas some groups had six teams – playing another two matches on the road to the World Cup.

The 2010 World Cup champions were ultimately able to qualify without much difficulty. They finished with six victories, one tie, and one defeat for a total of 19 points, four more than Sweden, who advanced to the playoffs.

Team Costa Rica:

Due to their ranking among the top five countries in their confederation, Costa Rica received a bye into the third round of CONCACAF region qualifying.

In order to advance to the inter-confederation playoffs, they had to place in the top three of an eight-nation group, but they were unable to do so due to goal difference.

90-minutes stood in their way to World Cup qualification with Oceania confederation team New Zealand their opponents.

Their entry into the competition was secured by a single goal by Campbell in the third minute for Costa Rica.

Team Japan:

As the second-ranked team in their region, behind Iran, Japan received a bye into the second round of Asian World Cup qualifying.

Japan dominated their group, defeating Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Myanmar ensuring a 100% win record.

They had by far the best record in round two, scoring an astounding 46 goals while only giving up 2.

Yuya Osako’s seven goals in two games during victories of 14-0 and 10-0 over Mongolia and Myanmar demonstrated the gap in class, securing top spot in teir group.

Team Germany:

Germany’s free-scoring and tight defence saw them finish with a goal difference of +32, better in Europe only by England’s +36.

Goals from Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan, Chelsea’s Kai Havertz, and Bayern’s Leon Goretzka set the German’s on their way against their first victims; Iceland.

The only blight spot on the German’s bid for World Cup qualitification was against an inspired North Macedonia side who beat them 2-1 at home.

Ones to watch

Team Spain:

Top scorer: Ferran Torres – 4
Most assists: Jordi Alba – 4
Talisman: Pedro González López (Pedri)

20-year-old Barcelona midfielder Pedri is set to have a memorable tournament as his team kicks off in Qatar against Germany in one of the most anticipated games of the World Cup group stage.

Luis Enrique has long admired Pedri’s speed, positional awareness, and supreme technical ability; all traits that the La Masia academy is renowned for producing.

Another to watch is Gavi, also of Barcelona. Since making his debut for La Roja last year, the 18-year-old playmaker has become a regular, and he has the potential to become a breakout star on the biggest stage.

Team Costa Rica:

Top scorer: Joel Campbell, Celso Borges, Anthony Contreras and Bryan Ruiz – 2
Most assists: Eight players – 1
Talisman: Keylor Navas

With players like Oscar Duarte and Juan Pablo Vargas, Costa Rica boasts a strong defense.

Keylor Navas’ ability, big game experience and importance to this Costa Rica side was readily shown as he almost single handedly contained New Zealand during their playoff ensuring his team’s tournament qualification.

Along with 22-year-old rising star Anthony Contreras, Joel Campbell, will probably be the focal point of Costa Rica’s attack.

Evergreen Captain Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges will aim to dictate things in the middle as the Los Ticos aim to cause an upset in their group.

Team Japan:

Top scorer: Takumi Minamino and Yuya Osako – 10
Most assists: Junya Ito – 7
Talisman: Takumi Minamino

Most of the good things Japan put together on the field of play almost always gravitates to and through Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada

His creativity will be essential to the hopes of his nation as the likes of Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino will be looking to get on the end of his passes to good effect.

Minamino has proved himself key to his nation and the hope will be that his big game experience especially after the two domestic titles with Liverpool last season, in which he played a key role, will see him stand up and be counted as they seek to topple the giants in Group E.

Team Germany:

Top scorer: Ilkay Gundogan, Timo Werner and Serge Gnabry – 5
Most assists: Leon Goretzka – 7
Talisman: Manuel Neuer

The star of Low’s team eight years ago when Germany destroyed all-comers en route to its fourth world championship was goalkeeper Neuer.

In Germany, the Bayern Munich shot-stopper redefined goalkeeping with his daring forays outside the box as a sweeper keeper; for which the likes of Liverpool’s Alisson and Man City’s Ederson have now taken to new levels.

Manuel Neuer remains among the best in the business despite being slowed down by age and injuries.

Neuer will be relied upon by Flick to lead and instill confidence at the back for the Die Mannschaft.

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