Germany v Japan – what the stats say

Germany and Japan are meeting for the first time at the Fifa World Cup. Germany are unbeaten in their two previous encounters with Japan (W1 D1), both friendly internationals in 2004 (3-0) and 2006 (2-2). All seven goals in their two previous encounters were scored in the second half.

Germany have won the Fifa World Cup four times, the joint-most for a European nation (Italy also four). Among all nations, only Brazil have lifted the trophy on more occasions (5).

This will be Germany’s 20th Fifa World Cup appearance, becoming only the second team, after Brazil, to reach the 20-participations mark in the tournament. The last time they didn’t participate in a World Cup edition was in 1950 – since then, they have progressed past the first round in every edition except for 2018, when they finished bottom of their group.

Germany have reached the semifinals in four of their five World Cup participations this century, the only exception being 2018. That’s more than any other nation in this time.

Hosts Qatar excepted, Germany were the first team to qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, doing so on 11th October 2021. Germany won nine of their 10 games in the European qualifiers (L1), with only England (39) netting more goals than the Germans (36, excluding play-offs).

None of Germany’s last 50 matches at the Fifa World Cup has ended goalless, their last 0-0 dating back to 1986 against Mexico in the quarterfinals. It’s the longest ever run for a team without a goalless draw at the tournament.

This will be Japan’s seventh consecutive Fifa World Cup appearance, a streak stretching back to 1998. It’s the second longest run of consecutive World Cup participations by an Asian nation behind Korea Republic’s current run of 10 straight tournaments (inc. 2022).

Having reached the last 16 in 2018, Japan will be looking to make it to the knockout stages of the Fifa World Cup in back-to-back editions for the very first time.

Japan have won only one of their last eight matches at the Fifa World Cup (D3 L4), it came in their opening match against Colombia in 2018 (2-1).

This will be Hansi Flick’s first major tournament as Germany manager. Jupp Derwall is the last manager to win a major tournament with Germany at the first attempt (EURO 1980).

Thomas Müller has 10 goals and six assists in 16 Fifa World Cup appearances, both the most of any player in the competition since 2010. Only Miroslav Klose (16), Gerd Müller (14) and Jürgen Klinsmann (11) have netted more goals for Germany in the finals than Müller, while since 1966, only Pierre Littbarski (7) has more assists for the nation.

No player scored more goals in World Cup 2022 qualification for Japan (incl. second round) than Takumi Minamino, who netted 10 goals and assisted a further four goals.