Doha. Maybe record world champions Brazil, Poland and Cameroon? Or hapless ones like hosts Qatar, Tunisia and the winner of the duel New Zealand against Costa Rica? At the World Cup draw gala on Friday (6 p.m.) in the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, the German national soccer team must also hope for a lucky hand from ex-world champion Lothar Matthäus. As expected, the team of national coach Hansi Flick is threatened with at least one crack opponent of the quality of the defending champions France or Spain in the preliminary round. Even a wild card ticket is possible. The most important answers to the draw:
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Which lots threaten the German team?
The position in the FIFA world rankings is decisive for the seeding list in the draw. Germany only made it into the second of four pots. So there could already be a duel with Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain or Portugal in the preliminary round – or the German team will catch the host Qatar. The hosts are traditionally also in the top lottery pot and contest the opening game as the head of Group A. Due to the regulations, a maximum of one other European team can be drawn into the German group. There can be no duels between teams from other confederations in the preliminary round. The lots will draw former stars like Matthäus.
Why are there three lots with placeholders?
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the World Cup field of 32 teams will not be finalized on the evening of the draw. Instead, 37 nations are there – for five, the World Cup dream ends before the finals. Three tickets are still up for grabs: Ukraine won’t complete their playoff semi-finals in Scotland until June, while the winner will play against Wales for the last place in the European World Cup. Due to the Corona consequences on the schedule, the intercontinental playoffs can also only take place in June: The winner of the Asian duel between Australia and the United Arab Emirates meets Peru. In addition, a place at the World Cup goes to either New Zealand or Costa Rica.
Where does Germany play its group games?
The draw determines which opponent Flick’s selection will face on which day. However, the final schedule with times and venues is not expected to be announced until Saturday. FIFA is thus keeping the option open of dividing the games according to their relevance for TV markets, among other things. The world association argues, among other things, that this flexibility is possible because the maximum distance between two stadiums is 56 kilometers.
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What else is special?
The new world champion will be crowned after just 28 days – the tournament lasts four days less than the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A team from Groups A and B therefore has three more days off on their possible route to the final than teams from Groups G and H, who do not enter the tournament until November 24. These teams would have a maximum of seven games over 25 days, but they would also have more time to prepare for the tournament. The last Bundesliga games before the start of the World Cup will be on November 13 – eight days before the World Cup opens. dpa
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