Germany draw Spain at 2022 FIFA World Cup; Robert Lewandowski's Poland to face Lionel Messi's Argentina
Germany have been drawn alongside Spain, Japan and Costa Rica or New Zealand in the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage, while Bayern Munich and Poland goal machine Robert Lewandowski will go up against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Germany were in the second of four pots for the draw in Doha, Qatar. Should they advance from Group E, the first- or second-placed nation from a Group F containing Belgium, Croatia, Morocco and Alphonso Davies' Canada await in the last 16.
Elsewhere, Poland's Group C meeting with Argentina pits Lewandowski - the FIFA Best Men's Player - against Messi - the Ballon d'Or holder. Borussia Dortmund teenagers Jude Bellingham and Gio Reyna could face off in Group B when England play the USMNT.
Germany were the first nation to qualify for the 2022 finals, after hosts Qatar. Die Mannschaft topped Group J ahead of North Macedonia, after winning nine of their 10 fixtures. The four-time world champions are currently enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run under Hansi Flick, who succeeded 2014 World Cup-winning coach Joachim Low following last summer's rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020.
Watch: Bellingham and Reyna set to go head-to-head
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Germany also lifted the World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990, putting them second to Brazil for most tournament wins (five). They are the only country in the competition's history to have claimed bronze or better in every decade involving a World Cup finals: the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
The 2022 World Cup will take place during part of the northern hemisphere's winter, from 21 November to 18 December 2022.
Qatar World Cup draw in full
Group A
Qatar
Netherlands
Senegal
Ecuador
Group B
England
USA
Iran
Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
Group C
Argentina
Mexico
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Group D
France
Denmark
Tunisia
UAE/Australia/Peru
Watch: Neuer vs. Olmo
Group E
Spain
Germany
Japan
Costa Rica/New Zealand
Group F
Belgium
Croatia
Morocco
Canada
Group G
Portugal
Uruguay
South Korea
Ghana
Group H
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia
Cameroon
Watch: Hazard and Davies to go head-to-head at the World Cup
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