World Cup Preview | Group E | Spain and Germany look to rediscover past form

The 2022 World Cup kicks off this Sunday with Qatar and Ecuador getting the tournament underway.

For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup will take place midseason in relation to Europe’s top five Leagues with 32 teams setting their sights on Qatar.

The nature of timing ensures a number of players will miss out while the Republic Of Ireland also failed to qualify.

But with the World Cup approaching, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the nations competing, group by group.

On Monday we previewed we had Group A & Group B.

Yesterday was the turn of Group C & Group D.

Today we turn attention to Group E, which contains Spain, Costa Rica, Germany and Japan.

Spain

Manager – Luis Enrique

Best WC Finish – Winners (2010)

2018 WC Finish – Last 16

FIFA World Ranking – 7th

Tournament Odds – 7/1

It’s been a rocky few years for the Spanish National Team, who have struggled to recapture their form from the early 2010’s since their consecutive World Cup and Euro triumphs.

Failing to make it out of their group in 2014, which contained the Netherlands, Chile and Australia, they also flattered to deceive the following tournament as the hosts Russia knocked them out on penalties in the last 16. Despite boasting one of the most talented sides in either competition, they were the architects of their own downfalls on both occasions with poor displays and managerial controversy.

A slight improvement was seen in Euro 2020 as they reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Italy on penalties. They showed their goal-scoring threat throughout the tournament, scoring five in consecutive group games but were also prone to conceding goals on the break.

Veterans such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal are part of the 26-man squad while a young core of talent, including Barcelona sterlets Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati who will be competing on the world stage for the first time in their careers, the first of many for certain.

Surprise exclusions for the final squad were Sergio Ramos, David de Gea and Thiago Alcantara and time will tell whether Enrique made the correct decision in leaving the trio at home.

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Costa Rica

Manager – Luis Fernando Suárez

Best WC Finish – Quarter-Finals (2014)

2018 WC Finish – Group Stage

FIFA World Ranking – 31st

Tournament Odds – 500/1

It’s difficult to forget the heroics of Costa Rica in the 2014 edition of the World Cup.

Placed in a ‘group of death’ which included England, Italy and Uruguay, the side stood no chance before the tournament. Two wins and a draw against England later, the country had caught the eye of nations around the world with their performances, with former Arsenal player Joel Campbell and former Fulham playmaker Bryan Ruiz starring for the nation. PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas also announced himself on the scene with his heroics.

A penalty shoot-out victory against Greece in the last-16 was followed by a defeat in the same manner to the Netherlands as their dreams were shattered but the nation enjoyed a tournament to remember.

Eight years later, and they’ve failed to replicate the same form. A point was the best they could do in their 2018 group stage as they failed to reach the last 16.

A Joel Campbell goal in the Qualifiers Final against New Zealand was enough to claim a place in this year’s tournament, who will be competing in his third World Cup alongside Navas as the standout names.

A tough group blocks Costa Rica’s path to the knockout stages, but it’s not the first time this has been said.

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Germany

Manager – Hansi Flick

Best WC Finish – Winners (4 seasons)

2018 WC Finish – Group Stage

FIFA World Ranking – 11th

Tournament Odds – 10/1

Historically, one of the most successful National Teams in history, Germany have been a shadow of their former selves in recent competitions.

Their last World Cup venture was erased from German minds in the quickest amount of time possible with their treacherous title defence ending in a group stage exit. Losses against Mexico and South Korea as well as a last gasp win against Sweden was their fate as they finished last in the group, failing to advance to the knockout stages for the first time in 80 years.

A last 16 exit in Euro 2020 at the hands of England was head coach Hansi Flick’s first taste of a major international tournament, as they worked extremely hard to make it out of a group including France and Portugal in the first place.

Another squad that blends experience with youth, Flick has goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan at his disposal, who were all a part of their 2014 heroics. Meanwhile, Jamal Musiala has made a name for himself for Bayern Munich with the 19-year-old expected to be a part of the starting XI.

The Germans will certainly be hoping for a repeat of 2014 rather than 2018 but they look set to meet in the middle.

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Japan

Manager – Hajime Moriyasu

Best WC Finish – Last 16 (3 seasons)

2018 WC Finish – Last 16

FIFA World Ranking – 24th

Tournament Odds – 300/1

Tournament veterans Japan will be competing in their seventh consecutive World Cup, with their run stemming back to 1998, their maiden appearance.

They would have found it difficult to overcome their last 16 defeat to Belgium back in 2018. They were within touching distance of a first quarter-final appearance when they took a 2-0 lead in the second half against the Red Devils. However, Belgium notched two back in a five-minute period and a fluent counter-attack provided an easy finish for Nacer Chadli as he sent Japan home in the 94th minute.

Their form wasn’t particularly great in the group stage of the competition and it would’ve came as a real shock to see the side reach the quarter-finals at Belgium’s expense.

However, a second place finish in their qualifying group handed them another opportunity to compete with the world’s best.

A talented squad of players that supply their trade all around the world will be looking to combine to progress in the tournament this year. Arsenal’s reliable right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu faces a late fitness test while former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino will be relied on to provide a spark for the side.

They face three difficult teams in the group stages and will have their work cut out for them to reach the knockout stages again.