Group E promises to be one of the fiercest rivalries at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with all four teams capable of mounting a serious challenge for the knockouts.
The group stage of the tournament saw Spain and Germany in the same pool for a thrilling rematch of the 2010 World Cup semi-final. Twelve years ago, in South Africa, Carles Puyol’s try took Spain to the final in Johannesburg and German hopes ended, as Vicente del Bosque’s side lifted the coveted trophy.
In the opening round, these two are Asian Cup 2019 finalists Japan and intercontinental playoff winners Costa Rica.
Having reached the last 16 of the World Cup three times out of the last five, Japan will also believe they have a chance of reaching the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica finished last in Group E after defeating New Zealand 1-0 in the intercontinental playoff on June 14. Los Ticos will play Luis Enrique’s Spain in the World Cup on Wednesday, November 23.
Fixtures and Match Schedule of World Cup Group E
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Stadium |
| Nov. 23, Wed | 8 a.m. | Germany vs. Japan | Khalifa Int’l |
| Nov. 23, Wed | 11 a.m. | Spain vs. Costa Rica | Al Thumama |
| Nov. 27, Sun | 5 a.m. | Japan vs. Costa Rica | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Nov. 27, Sun | 2 p.m. | Spain vs. Germany | Al Bayt |
| Dec. 1, Thu | 2 p.m. | Japan vs. Spain | Khalifa Int’l |
| Dec. 1, Thu | 2 p.m. | Costa Rica vs. Germany | Al Bayt |
The four teams will play in a round-robin format with each nation playing three other teams. Group standings are based on points from those three group stage matches — three points for a win, one for a draw, and any points for a loss.
The top two teams from each group based on total points advance to the single-match knockouts. If the teams are tied in points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker, followed by goals. Another set of tiebreakers applies if the teams are tied in those categories.
World Cup Draw Breakdowns:
Group E Teams World Cup 2022
Spain
Spain is in a transitional phase heading into Qatar 2022, as they look to finally emulate the success they achieved on the global stage at the 2010 World Cup.
The emergence of prospects such as Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati bodes well for the future, but it remains to be seen whether Spain will be strong enough to go all the way to Qatar. That said, their run to the 2021 Nations League – where La Rosa was beaten only by France in the final – is another good sign.
Coach Luis Enrique has not been afraid to remove big names such as David de Gea and Sergio Busquets from the squad, with an emphasis on creativity likely to make Spain more difficult to defend.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 6 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 4th (UEFA) |
| World Cup titles | 1 |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 15 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | UEFA Group B winners: 6W-1L-1D |
| Coach | Luis Enrique (Spain) since November 2019 |
| Key players | Pedri (Barcelona / Spain), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City / England), Rodri (Manchester City / England) |
Germany
Germany will be eager to make amends for a nightmare attempt at the 2018 World Cup as they enter a major tournament for the first time in almost two decades under Joachim Loews.
Before beginning his own acclaimed 15-year tenure as head coach, Low served as Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant in 2006 as Die Mannschaft guided them to the semi-finals on home soil.
The highlight of that era was Germany lifting their fourth world title at Brazil in 2014 and, after a disappointing European Championship campaign marked Low’s departure last year, his former assistant, Hansi Flick, will lead a new generation eager to improve.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 11 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 9th (UEFA) |
| World Cup titles | 4 |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 19 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | UEFA Group J winners: 9W-1L-0D |
| Coach | Hansi Flick (Germany) since July 2021 |
| Key players | Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich / Germany), Kai Havertz (Chelsea / England) |
Japan
Japan’s national team has never progressed beyond the round of 16 at the World Cup but will be hoping to enjoy a long run at this year’s tournament.
Their squad has plenty of experience but there are also some talented young prospects, such as Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo. Additionally, Japan boasts players with Premier League credentials, and many fans around the world will already be familiar with Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino.
Japan’s preparation for the tournament has been good, beating the challenge of automatic qualifiers Australia in the AFC region, but it remains to be seen how well the Samurai Blue will fare against strong opposition.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 24 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 2nd (AFC) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 7 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | (AFC Third Round Group B winners: 7W-2L-1D) |
| Coach | Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) since August 2018 |
| Key players | Takumi Minamino (Monaco / France), Maya Yoshida (Schalke / Germany), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal / England) |
Costa Rica
After finishing fourth in CONCACAF qualifying, Costa Rica’s fate was decided by the Intercontinental Playoffs. Former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell scored a goal in the third minute and international veterans Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead.
Attacking talent is where Costa Rica is strongest, but it remains to be seen if they have the ability to keep out some of the stronger nations at the other end of the pitch.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 34 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 3rd (CONCACAF) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 5 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | — |
| Coach | Luis Fernando Suarez (Colombia) since July 2021 |
| Key players | Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense / Costa Rica), Celso Borges (Alajuelense / Costa Rica), Joel Campbell (Leon / Mexico) |
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