We take a look at the groups and who will expect to reach the knockout stages.
GROUP E
SPAIN
Previous appearances: 15 (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Winners (2010)
Coach: Luis Enrique (Spain)
Star player: Pedri (Barcelona)
The Golden Generation of Spain that lifted the World Cup in South African in 2010 is long gone and it is a team in a rebuilding phase with exciting youngsters who lack the experience at international level. They may not reach their goal in this competition but watch out for them in four years’ time. They can still beat anybody on their day.
COSTA RICA
Previous appearances: 5 (1990, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2014)
Coach: Luis Fernando Suárez (Colombia)
Star player: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense)
Costa Rica were quarterfinalists as recently as 2014, but are not expected to get that far this time round with what is largely a home-based squad led by the talismanic veteran Brian Ruiz. They have been on a good run of form in 2022, but have hardly been tested yet and lost to Panama in June.
GERMANY
Previous appearances: 19 (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
Coach: Hansi Flick (Germany)
Star player: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
Never write off the Germans! They may not be in the best of form going into the finals in Qatar, but they have a habit of pulling together at major competitions and performing above expectations. This was not the case in 2018 when they bowed out early, but they have some notable wins – and losses – since then, which makes them unpredictable. Leading their attack is goal machine Serge Gnabry, among a number of star names.
JAPAN
Previous appearances: 6 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Second round (2002, 2010, 2018)
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu (Japan)
Star player: Genki Haraguchi (Union Berlin)
Japan are always a tricky side to play and have some major scalps down the years, though they have never progressed past the second round of the World Cup. This team has a number of players in the Bundesliga and around Europe with good topflight experience, something previous squads have not enjoyed. They will be dangerous.