World Cup 2022 Group E
GROUP E
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 3 |
Joji Imamiya
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Spain
Perennial World Cup underachievers Spain hope they can turn things around after a positive Euro 2020 and a narrow defeat to France in the Nations League.
Spain progressed from Group B qualifying smoothly only dropping five points against Greece and Sweden.
Ferran Torres was the team’s top scorer from that campaign with four goals but there is concern with his club form since Xavi tends to pick Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele as wingers in the big games.
Other forwards should be Pablo Sarabia of PSG and Alvaro Morata. Sarabia’s name may not carry the same weight as Ansu Fati or Marco Asensio but his consistency and tactical understanding make him an important member. Having never played professional football in his homeland, Dani Olmo could be a good wildcard option.
Despite the many megastars at Enrique’s disposal, Spain’s midfield is already set with Barca’s trio of Gavi, Pedri, and Sergio Busquets starting. Atleti legend Koke or Thiago Alcantara, who was so often Liverpool’s best player last season, will have to be content with a place on the bench (he did not make the cut, however). Spain can also call upon the services of Rodri and Marcos Llorente.
Left-back is a slight concern as Jordi Alba’s deterioration of both pace and passing is clear while Cesar Azpilicueta’s patience has finally paid off since Dani Carvajal has not quite earned the manager’s trust yet through unfortunate injuries.
Aymeric Laporte, who was for so long a French player, is now undisputedly a starter and undisputedly Spanish. Eric Garcia or Pau Torres will battle it out as Laporte’s partner. While Enrique tends to opt for Garcia, many Champions League-viewing fans will have Torres’s many brilliant displays etched into their memory. He is also very adept at carrying the ball from defense into the midfield.
David de Gea must not have thought his blunders at World Cup 2018 would have cost him his international career so dearly when letting in Cristiano Ronaldo’s tame shot but Unai Simon has come out of the woodwork at the right time to send the Manchester United man onto the sidelines. The other two keepers will be Premier League based, but most likely in the form of Robert Sanchez and David Raya. Enrique has made sure his team is comfortable on the ball throughout and will not be influenced by star names or media pressure.
Spain will be there or thereabouts in this tournament, but like so many of them before, the lack of a potent finisher will ultimately cost them at the latter stages.
 |
 |
|
Spain Kit 1 |
Spain Kit 2 |
Spain v Costa Rica 23 November; Doha (Al Thumama)
Spain v Germany 27 November; Al Khor (Al Bayt)
Japan v Spain 1 December; Al Rayyan
Coach
Coach: Luis Enrique
Record
Best World Cup: Winners in 2010
Formation
4-3-3
Men to watch
Ever present Sergio Busquets is the only surviving member from the 2010 winning squad. Nominated as best player in the last edition of the Nations League, Busquets has shown age is truly just a number.
Getting out of the group will not be easy but should be straightforward enough. The big question mark remains up front, so the fate of the nation will hinge on the likes of Alvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia. Anything less than a quarter-final finish will be unsatisfactory for Spanish fans.
How they qualified
Finished first in Group B with six wins out of eight matches.
On the sidelines
Expect to see Gavi playing with his shoelaces untied as "he doesn't know how to tie them well" according to Barcelona manager Xavi.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford)
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Paris St-Germain), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri Gonzalez (Barcelona), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid)
Strikers: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (Paris St Germain), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
Costa Rica
With the unthinkable 2014 heroics of a quarterfinal finish still fresh in the memory, Costa Rica could give a false impression that they could achieve something special again. The fact is, however, Los Ticos have quite possibly the weakest squad of the lot. Their unconvincing qualification process where they scored thirteen, less than that of Panama, should be good evidence for that.
In goal, Keylor Navas is losing his grip on a starting berth at PSG by the week but his qualities cannot be underestimated. He provides the star quality that no other player can offer for the team in red and blue.
Al Wheda's Oscar Duarte and Francisco Calvo have built a stable partnership that is expected to be in place for a few more years. With six clean sheets from the fourteen third-round qualifying matches, Costa Rica held a solid defense led by the great understanding of the center-backs and Keylor Navas in goal.
Sunderland and Everton fans may not have particularly fond memories of left-back Bryan Oviedo who plays his trade in the MLS with Real Salt Lake these days. However, he is a consistent and reliable presence for the national side. Keysher Fuller is not an automatic starter on the right by any means but Luis Fernando Suarez has opted for him on most occasions.
The midfield also has plenty of experience in the form of Celso Borges and Yeltsin Tejeda. Yet, the fact that both have returned to their homeland suggests a decline, not maturity. In terms of experience, no one comes close to Ex-PSV and Fulham star Bryan Ruiz but his spot at No. 10 is taken instead by Joel Campbell, formerly of Arsenal and Olympiacos. Campbell was the difference in the do-or-die intercontinental playoff against New Zealand. The defenses of Group E will be most aware of his presence.
There is a representation of youth up top in Anthony Contreras at the tender age of 22. Powerful in the air, Contreras could combat Costa Rica's goalscoring crisis.
But perhaps the Central American nation's biggest weapon is the coach Luis Fernando Suarez. With over thirty years of experience, Suarez has seen it all in World Cup football by guiding Ecuador and Honduras to the finals in 2006 and 2014 respectively.
 |  |
Costa Rica Kit 1
|
Costa Rica Kit 2
|
Spain v Costa Rica 23 November; Doha (Al Thumama)
Japan v Costa Rica 27 November; Al Rayyan (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Costa Rica v Germany 1 December; Al Khor
Coach
Luis Fernando Suarez
Record
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals in 2014
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
Keylor Navas is the standout player. Fabulous in the 2014 edition and for Real Madrid until his departure, having Gianluigi Donnarumma as the first choice at PSG does not prove Navas' powers are dwindling.
Costa Rica are predicted to finish dead last and achieving anything better will be deemed a surprise.
How they qualified
Costa Rica were level on points with the USA in the final standings but were made to face New Zealand in an intercontinental playoff. Joel Campbell scored the only goal in a tense game.
On the sidelines
Three World Cups with three different teams goes to show coach Luis Fernando Suarez’s immense prowess at this level but his only trophy as manager came in 1999 with Colombian giants Atlético Nacional.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (PSG), Esteban Alvarado (Herediano), Patrick Sequeira (Club Deportivo Lugo)
Defenders: Francisco Calvo (Konyaspor), Juan Pablo Vargas (Millonarios), Kendall Waston (Saprissa), Óscar Duarte (Al-Wehda), Daniel Chacón (Colorado Rapids), Keysher Fuller (Herediano), Carlos Martínez (San Carlos), Bryan Oviedo (Real Salt Lake), Ronald Matarrita (Cincinnati)
Midfielders: Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano), Celso Borges (Alajuelense), Youstin Salas (Saprissa), Roan Wilson (Grecia), Gerson Torres (Herediano), Douglas López (Herediano), Jewison Bennette (Sunderland), Anthony Hernández (Puntarenas), Brandon Aguilera (Nottingham Forest), Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense), Álvaro Zamora (Saprissa)
Strikers: Joel Campbell (Club León), Anthony Contreras (Herediano), Johan Venegas (Alajuelense)
Germany
Disappointing in both of the last two major tournaments, Germany finally decided to part company with Joachim Löw after Euro 2020. Hansi Flick came in as his replacement with an impeccable CV, a treble-winner at Bayern in 2020.
In a qualification group lacking in quality, Germany had a record of nine wins out of ten, with the only defeat coming in a famous home loss to North Macedonia, a game played before Euro 2020 commenced.
Similar to how Bayern played under Flick, this Germany team prides itself on fluid attacks achieved through interchanging forwards and a gegenpressing style that suffocates the opposition when on the ball.
They prefer to spread the goals throughout the team, as Serge Gnabry, İlkay Gündoğan and Timo Werner all bagged five each during qualifying whilst Leroy Sane was on target four times too.
Mocked heavily during his time in the Premier League, Timo Werner plays a big part in building these fluid attacks, as he is capable whether on the wings or through the middle (he can consider himself unlucky for missing out because of an injury just before the tournament). Thanks to his high footballing intelligence, captain Thomas Müller has earned his place back after initially being phased out by the previous coach. Mönchengladbach’s Jonas Hofmann has unexpectedly made the right-wing slot his own due to his selfless running and great understanding of Flick’s complex tactics.
With Toni Kroos’ retirement came opportunities for the next generation of midfielders, giving Joshua Kimmich and İlkay Gündoğan the chance to flourish. Bayern’s Jamal Musiala is undoubtedly one of the candidates for winning the Best Young Player award this year. His rare yet important skill of keeping possession in tight spaces and creating chances is his greatest asset, but goalscoring also comes second nature to him.
Three of the four defenders that are lieky to start moved clubs over the summer. Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger had to accept his rotation role with Eder Militao but his habit of chipping in big goals from set-pieces has not changed, evident from his equaliser at Shakhtar’s Polish ground. Tall and surprisingly quick Niklas Süle will be his partner but his club colleague Nico Schlotterbeck is also making a great case for himself. David Raum, who burst onto the scene at Hoffenheim and now Leipzig, delivers endless pinpoint crossing and is ultra-consistent.
Germany are renowned for producing great goalkeepers and it is no different on this occasion. Kevin Trapp’s heroics in Frankfurt’s Europa League journey only gaining him a spot as a third choice goes to show Germany's squad depth. At age 36, Manuel Neuer may well be entering his twilight years but he is a safer pair of hands over Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen.
The tactical nous of Hansi Flick and the staggering talent in both boxes makes Germany one of the contenders for the tournament and a relatively low expectation from the fans may well push the Die Mannschaft to somewhere special.
 |
 |
Germany Kit 1
|
Germany Kit 2
|
Germany v Japan 23 November; Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
Spain v Germany 27 November; Al Khor
Costa Rica v Germany 1 December; Al Khor
Coach
Hansi Flick
Record
Best World Cup: Winners in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
Though unlikely to start, Jamal Musiala is on the cusp of stardom, if not already. His late runs into the box give another dimension to the German attack.
Hansi Flick will set up a team that is studious and mentally ready. Expect to see them in the semis.
How they qualified
Finished first in Group J with no trouble at all.
On the sidelines
Leon Goretzka has a "social conscience" unusually for a footballer and has previously criticized the Alternative for Germany party for their Holocaust revisionism.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Christian Gunter (SC Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Strikers: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
Japan
Assigned to the "group of death" for perhaps the first time in their history, Japan's progression is unlikely, though they may have the most talented squad we have ever seen, despite the lack of star names.
Off to the worst possible start in the Third Round of Group B, Japan succumbed to Oman meekly, provoking the anti-Hajime Moriyasu camp early. In truth, once they lost to Saudi Arabia on matchday 3, Japan never looked like claiming top spot and the Saudis were comfortably the best team overall.
Japan's biggest problem is goalscoring, which has been causing many headaches for different coaches for so many years. Yuya Osako's form in the J League is satisfactory, but nothing inspirational (has missed the final cut anyway), and Celtic's Daizen Maeda is prone to missing easy chances and therefore unreliable.
Shūichi Gonda will be the custodian for the Samurai Blue but many are confident that he will be out of his depth at this level whilst Daniel Schmidt is an unknown quantity.
Excluding the left-back slot, the defense is settled with captain Maya Yoshida tasked to thwart the likes of Timo Werner and Alvaro Morata alongside Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu. His club Schalke's form is beyond horrific, however, and it is concerning how often he has been exposed recently. Yuto Nagatomo has a slight edge over Huddersfield's Yuta Nakayama in terms of the manager's trust at left-back but based on recent games, Nakayama surely edges it (It was later confirmed that Nakayama will sit out after he sustained an injury against Sunderland).
Midfield is, unsurprisingly, where Japan's strength lies. Wataru Endo wears the armband for Stuttgart and consistently tops the charts for "duels won" in the league and Hidemasa Morita's arrival at Sporting CP has proven to be a masterstroke by Rúben Amorim. A player also deserving of attention is Dusseldorf's Ao Tanaka.
Daichi Kamada, who was the top scorer in Eintracht Frankfurt's victorious Europa League campaign, has been playing out of his skin, a kind of form that is surely not sustainable. With three goals in the Champions League and plenty more in the Bundesliga this season, he was also clinical in Japan's friendly win versus the USA.
Predicting from the qualification process, expect to see Ligue 1's Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito start on the wings but if not up to par, wunderkind Takefusa Kubo or Freiburg's Ritsu Dōan can replace them seamlessly.
Packed with players from all over Europe, Moriyasu has an abundance of talent that many Japanese fans feel will be wasted under his guidance. Despite his three J League titles at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, an underwhelming qualification campaign along with battling displays versus Vietnam and Turkmenistan in Asia Cup 2019 has given an impression that a defensive system is unsuited to the current crop, which is undoubtedly accurate.
 |
 |
Japan Kit 1 |
Japan Kit 2
|
Germany v Japan 23 November; Al Rayyan
Japan v Costa Rica 27 November; Al Rayyan
Japan v Spain 1 December; Al Rayyan
Coach
Hajime Moriyasu
Record
Best World Cup: Round of 16 in 2002, 2010, and 2018.
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
The man in form right now is Daichi Kamada. His productivity in front of goal is at a level that has never been produced by any Japanese player this century.
How they qualified
Finished second behind Saudi Arabia in AFC qualifying second round.
On the sidelines
Ritsu Dōan probably has the biggest personality. In team meetings, he is famous for having his say despite the oppressive atmosphere Japanese meetings tend to be. Perhaps he is the closest thing to a successor to legend Keisuke Honda.
Read more about Japan at World Cup Qatar 2022.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), Daniel Schmidt (Sint-Truiden), Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg)
Defenders: Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Reds), Maya Yoshida (Schalke), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach), Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo)
Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Stuttgart), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting CP), Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Gaku Shibasaki (Leganes), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuki Soma (Nagoya Grampus)
Strikers: Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Takuma Asano (Bochum), Ayase Ueda (Cercle Bruges)