Germany to face Spain at World Cup as draw pairs Iran and USA
GERMANY AND SPAIN WILL CLASH
at this year’s World Cup after last Friday’s (Apr 1) draw in Doha placed the two former
winners in the same group, while geopoliti
cal rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together.
Four-time World Cup winners Germany
and Spain are joined by Japan in Group E, which will be completed by the winner of an intercontinental play-off in June between
Costa Rica and New Zealand.
Iran and the United States last met at the 1998 World Cup in France when the Iranians won the politically-charged game 2-1 in Lyon.
England also found themselves in Group
B and will face Iran in their opening game on the tournament’s first day, on Nov 21.
Gareth Southgate’s side, semi-finalists four years ago in Russia and runners-up at Euro 2020, might also come up against neighbours Wales or Scotland, although Ukraine could also take the last spot in the European play-offs, to be decided in June.
Hosts Qatar, who will be appearing at their first World Cup, will face Ecuador in the World Cup’s opening game at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor.
Qatar will also take on African champions Senegal as well as the Netherlands in Group A.
Reigning champions France will face
Denmark and Tunisia in Group D, which will be completed by the winners of the other intercontinental play-off, Australia, Peru or the United Arab Emirates.
Record five-time winners Brazil will play Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G, while two-time champions Argentina drew Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Robert Lewandowski's Poland in Group C.
It might be Lionel Messi’s last chance to
win a World Cup as he will turn 35 before the tournament.
The same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be nearly 38 when Portugal come up against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
Croatia, runners-up in 2018, were drawn
with Belgium and Morocco in Group F, which is completed by a Canada side returning to the World Cup for the first time in 26 years.