Each of Group E’s four teams is tough, making it one of the most intriguing. Spain and Germany are in the same pool, reliving the 2010 World Cup semifinals. In South Africa 12 years ago, Carles Puyol’s goal sent Spain to the final, crushing German hopes. Vicente del Bosque’s squad won the competition.
Costa Rica and Japan, AFC Asian Cup 2019 playoff winners, will join them in the first Round.
Japan has made it to the quarterfinals three times in the previous five World Cups.
Costa Rica beat New Zealand 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff on June 14 to win Group E. Los Ticos will play Spain in their World Cup opener on November 23. After overcoming Italy in the group stage, they went to the quarterfinals in 2014.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Group E Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, November 23 | Germany vs Japan | 08:00 A.M. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Wed, November 23 | Spain vs Costa Rica | 11:00 A.M. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, November 27 | Japan vs Costa Rica | 05:00 A.M. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, November 27 | Spain vs Germany | 02:00 P.M. | Al Bayt |
| Thurs, December 1 | Japan vs Spain | 02:00 P.M. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Thurs, December 1 | Costa Rica vs Germany | 02:00 P.M. | Al Bayt |
Each country’s squad will play all three other teams in a round-robin schedule. Three points are awarded for a victory, one point for a tie, and defeat results in zero points in determining the final rankings of each group.
Each group’s top two teams in terms of points will progress to the elimination round. If multiple clubs are experiencing the same problems, the tie will be broken first by goal differential, then by goals scored. The following tiebreakers will determine the winner if the teams are also knotted up in those areas.
Brief Team Review: Spain
Spain is still changing as they prepare for Qatar 2022, when they will attempt to repeat their success at the 2010 World Cup.
Spain’s future seems bright thanks to the rise of talents like Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati, but whether or not they will be strong enough to win it all in Qatar is still up in the air. However, La Roja’s performance in the 2021 Nations League, when they reached the final before losing to France, is another promising indicator.
Coach Luis Enrique has been unafraid to bench stars like David de Gea and Sergio Ramos in favour of a more creative approach, which should make Spain tough to contain.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 7 (November 2022)
- Regional Ranking: 5th (UEFA)
- World Cup Titles: 1
- World Cup Appearances (Last): 15 (Russia 2018)
- How Qualified They Are: UEFA Group B winners: 6W-1L-1D
- Spain Coach Name: Luis Enrique (Spain) since November 2019
- Key Players of Spain to Watch: Pedri (Barcelona / Spain), Rodri (Manchester City / England), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City / England).
Brief Team Review: Germany
Germany will be eager to redeem themselves after their disastrous performance at the 2018 World Cup, their first major tournament without Joachim Low in nearly two decades.
While working under Jurgen Klinsmann, Low helped guide Die Mannschaft to the quarterfinals in their 2006 home tournament. This was the beginning of Low’s own highly regarded 15-year run as head coach.
Germany’s fourth global championship was won in Brazil in 2014, and although a poor European Championship campaign marked Low’s goodbye last year, an enthusiastic new generation led by Low’s former assistant, Hansi Flick, is eager to make apologies.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 11 (November 2022).
- Regional World Cup Ranking: 9th (UEFA).
- World Cup Titles: 4 Times.
- World Cup Appearances (Last): 19 (Russia 2018).
- How Qualified They Are: UEFA Group J Winners: 9W-1L-0D.
- Germany Coach Name: Hansi Flick (Germany) since July 2021.
- Key Players of Germany to Watch: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany), Kai Havertz (Chelsea / England), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich / Germany).
Brief Team Review: Japan
Although they have never advanced beyond the Round of 16, the Japanese national team will be hoping for a deep run at this year’s World Cup.
Takefusa Kubo, a winger for Real Sociedad, is one of the promising young players on a roster that includes veterans like Juanfran and Isco.
In addition, Japan has some players who have Premier League experience; Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal and Takumi Minamino of Liverpool are two names that will be recognizable to many fans across the globe.
Japan’s preparations for the tournament have gone well; they automatically defeated Australia to qualify for the AFC zone. However, how Samurai Blue perform against stricter competition remains to be seen.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 24 (November 2022).
- Regional Ranking: 2nd (AFC).
- World Cup Titles: None.
- World Cup Appearances (Last): 7 (Russia 2018).
- How Qualified They Are: AFC Third Round Group B winners: 7W-2L-1D).
- Japan Coach Name: Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) since August 2018.
- Key Players of Japan to Watch: Takumi Minamino (Monaco / France), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal / England), Maya Yoshida (Schalke / Germany).
Brief Team Review: Costa Rica
After placing fourth in the CONCACAF qualification, an intercontinental playoff determined Costa Rica’s destiny. Former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell scored the game-winning goal in the third minute, and international veterans Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz held on to beat New Zealand 1-0.
Their attacking prowess is where Costa Rica shines, but whether they can keep out the more formidable teams remains to be seen.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 31 (November 2022)
- Regional Ranking: 3rd (CONCACAF)
- World Cup Appearances (Last): 5 (Russia 2018)
- Costa Rica Coach Name: Luis Fernando Suarez (Colombia) since July 2021
- Key Players of Costa Rica to Watch: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense / Costa Rica), Joel Campbell (Leon / Mexico), Celso Borges (Alajuelense / Costa Rica)
World Cup Group D Odds and Predictions
Sports Interaction has provided the following odds for each team to win their group and advance to the playoffs.
One hundred dollars at minus odds means you have to risk $190 to win $100, while $100 at plus odds means you take home $290.
The top two teams from Group E will advance to the Round of 16 on Monday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 6, to take on the top two teams from Group F.
| Team | Group Winner | To Qualify |
| Spain | -119 | -909 |
| Germany | +109 | -769 |
| Japan | +1200 | +411 |
| Costa Rica | +4400 | +625 |
