Germany and Spain will clash at this year’s World Cup after Friday’s draw in Doha placed the two former winners in the same group, while geopolitical rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together.
Four-time World Cup winners Germany were in Pot Two, making them the obvious team to avoid for the top seeds in the draw in the Qatari capital. They were knocked out of the 2018 tournament in Russia in the group stage.
Germany and Spain are joined by Japan in Group E, which will be completed by the winner of an intercontinental playoff in June between Costa Rica and New Zealand.
Iran and the United States last met at the 1998 World Cup in France when the Iranians won the politically-charged game 2-1 in Lyon..
England also found themselves in Group B and will face Iran in their opening game on the tournament’s first day, on 21 November.
Gareth Southgate’s side, semifinalists four years ago in Russia and runners-up at Euro 2020, might also come up against neighbours Wales or Scotland, although Ukraine could also take the last spot in the European playoffs, to be decided in June.
Hosts Qatar, who will be appearing at their first World Cup, will face Ecuador in the World Cup’s opening game at the 60 000-seat Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, 35 kilometres north-east of Doha.
GROUP A
Qatar (hosts)
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
GROUP B
England
Iran
United States
Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
GROUP C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
GROUP D
France
United Arab Emirates/Australia/Peru
Denmark
Tunisia
GROUP E
Spain
Costa Rica/New Zealand
Germany
Japan
GROUP F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
GROUP G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
GROUP H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
South Korea
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