FIFA World Cup draw: Spain and Germany to face off in mouth-watering group stage match

Spain and Germany will face off in the headline act of the group stages at the 2022 World Cup after the draw for the tournament was made in Doha on Friday.

Group E is undoubtedly the most intriguing, with the Spanish and Germans joined by Japan and either Costa Rica or New Zealand, with their deciding playoff match scheduled for June 13 or 14. Germany will certainly be hoping the match will be nothing like the previous meeting between the two nations, as Spain ran riot in a 6-0 victory during the Nations League in 2020.

Host nation Qatar will play Ecuador in the opening day’s third match after their World Cup opener was moved to better suit TV audiences in the South American nation. The two are also joined by the Netherlands and Senegal in Group A. Qatar has relatively recent experience of playing South American nations after being invited to the 2019 Copa America. The Qataris acquitted themselves well, making Argentina work hard for a 2-0 win and earning a well-deserved pointed against Paraguay. France, winners of the 2018 and 1998 World Cups, were drawn into Group D with Denmark, Tunisia and the winner of an Intercontinental play-off — either Australia, United Arab Emirates or Peru.