Spain and Germany are set to compete alongside Japan, with their opening match pitting the European powerhouse against Costa Rica. The draw positions Costa Rica as the first challenge, followed by a schedule that shapes Group E as a focal point of the World Cup adventure this season. The tournament keeps its promise to unite millions of football fans across North America and beyond, as 32 teams vie for a place in the knockout rounds, evenly split into eight groups to determine the path to the final stages.
The World Cup in Qatar, a global gathering that captures the attention of sports enthusiasts around the world, continues to thrill fans with its structure: 32 teams, grouped into four-team pools, playing the initial round in a two-stage format. Group E stands out by timing, with action starting later in the calendar, and the penultimate round of group matches scheduled for early December, a few weeks before the grand final that every competing team hopes to attend.
Group E at the Qatar World Cup 2022: dates, fixtures, schedules, and television coverage
- E1: Spain
- E2: Costa Rica
- E3: Germany
- E4: Japan
Notable historical notes
Spain carries strong historical results when facing its Group E rivals, which adds a layer of expectation for the opening stage. In their first Group E clash, Spain recently defeated Costa Rica in a friendly ahead of the Russia edition of international play, a match played as part of a pause in the competitive calendar. The Costa Rican squad, guided by coach Keylor Navas, faced a difficult path that included a playoff victory over New Zealand in the intercontinental playoff, a reminder of the competitive route teams must navigate to reach the tournament proper.
Looking at the most recent encounter with Germany, Spain did not disappoint, delivering a commanding victory on the final matchday of a recent competition. The result helped Spain advance to the Final Four and showcased a scoring sequence that featured Morata, Ferrán Torres, Rodrigo Hernández, and Mikel Oyarzabal, contributing to a resounding win that underlined the team’s offensive depth.
Spain’s last competitive meeting with Japan dates back to a 2001 friendly in Córdoba, a match remembered for a late Baraja strike that secured a narrow Spanish victory. That historical footnote adds a sense of continuity when the teams reconvene.
- In Spain, viewers can watch the matches on RTVE.
Across the Americas, fans can follow the World Cup through Azteca 7, TUDN, and Sky Sports in Mexico. Argentina’s audience has access to DeporTV, TyC Sports, and DirecTV Sports, while Chile offers coverage on Channel 13, Chilevisión, and DirecTV. Colombia fans can tune in via Caracol TV, RCN Televisión, and DirecTV. In Spain, the matches are broadcast on TVE.
Source attribution: Goal