World Cup 2022 – Group E Preview

Which teams are in Group E at the 2022 World Cup?

Every World Cup seems to have a “Group of Death” – step forward Group E at Qatar 2022. With two European superpowers in Spain and Germany, plus a talented Japan side and a Costa Rica team that made the quarter-finals in 2014 – finishing ahead of England in the group stages – this looks like being one of the most unpredictable groups at this tournament. Spain and Germany will be favourites to progress, but one slip-up could leave them red-faced.

Learn more about the 2022 World Cup groups

How did each team in Group E qualify for the 2022 World Cup?

Spain coasted through a tricky-looking group as winners, handling Sweden and Greece along the way. Alvaro Morata’s late goal was enough to clinch top spot in the group in the final matchday against the Swedes. Germany were similarly impressive, winning nine of their 10 games, including a 6-0 thrashing of Armenia and a 9-0 battering of Liechtenstein.

There was some surprise that Japan finished behind Saudi Arabia in their own qualifying group, as they could only draw with Vietnam on the final matchday. Japan still finished comfortably clear of Australia, though, to qualify automatically. Costa Rica finished behind Canada, Mexico and the USA in qualifying and needed a play-off win over New Zealand to make the finals.

What is the World Cup pedigree of each team in Group E?

Few groups at this World Cup can boast the pedigree of Group E. Including the years competing as West Germany, ‘Die Mannschaft’ have finished as champions four times. They have made the final eight times, with the most recent win coming in Brazil in 2014, thanks to Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal.

Spain were serial underachievers on the world stage until emerging as one of the finest sides on the planet in the 2010s, winning the trophy in fine style in South Africa. But, they are yet to make it past the second round since then and will be desperate to put in a performance in Qatar.

Japan’s first World Cup appearance was as recently as 1998, but this will be their seventh tournament in a row since that debut. They are yet to win a knockout game and lost a heartbreaker to Belgium at the 2018 World Cup when they couldn’t hold onto a 2-0 lead late in the game. For a nation of just over five million people, Costa Rica have a solid World Cup record and have qualified for five of the last six tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in 2014.

Spain are favourites to win the group, with Germany not far behind them at 11/10. The European sides are odds-on to qualify for the knockouts, with Japan priced at 10/3 and Costa Rica 13/2.

Who are the best players to watch out for in Group E at the 2022 World Cup?

Pedri – Spain

He may only be 19, but Pedri already plays like a seasoned international. The Barcelona star is one of the few guaranteed starters in Luis Enrique’s side and excites fans every time he gets on the ball. Pedri roams around the pitch and follows in the footsteps of the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi as a highly-technical, energetic midfielder.

Joshua Kimmich – Germany

Joshua Kimmich started out as a brilliant right-back, but an injury crisis prompted a move into central midfield – and Kimmich quickly showed he is world class in that position, too. The influential Bayern Munich star is a superb passer with great vision, as well as the tenacity and awareness of one of football’s finest defensive midfielders.

Keylor Navas – Costa Rica

A Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Keylor Navas is a spectacular goalkeeper who will be key to Costa Rica’s chances. He has over a hundred caps, and his energetic displays between the posts sets the tone for the rest of the squad.

Takumi Minamino – Japan

A talented attacker, Takumi Minamino now plays for Monaco after a couple of years winning trophies with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. He is known for his work-rate at both ends of the pitch, often dropping back to look for the ball or help out defensively. He can be a tricky dribbler with excellent balance, making it hard to knock him off the ball.

When do the 2022 World Cup Group E matches take place?