Germany to face Spain, Japan at World Cup; Iran and U.S. in same group

Hopefully this will discourage Japanese fans from traveling to Qatar to attend matches in person since it's obvious Japan will never get out of the Group stage with opponents like that.

*Hopefully this will discourage Japanese fans from traveling to Qatar *

what a dour statement !

obviously you’ve never experienced a World Cup.

it ain’t always about the results

Tough group for Japan, but the climate could work to Japan advantage.

The team need the confidence/belief in themselves and not be phased by reputations.

Challenging group for Moriyasu-Japan, but not impossible. Yes - Spain is difficult, but Germany is not as strong as they once were, and Samurai-Blue are a rising team. Moriyasu will target getting a result from the Germany game to advance.

what a dour statement !

obviously you’ve never experienced a World Cup.

it ain’t always about the results

Well stated. The Japanese fans are the most loyal in the world, and will support Moriyasu-Japan regardless of the challenge. Just being there, enjoying the party armosphere and mingling with fans from the world over is what it is all about for the Japanese fans.

Tough group, but I've never thought that we should be excited about having an easier group. The goal is to win the World Cup. Not make it to the quarter-finals. I want Japan and its supporters to have this attitude.

Oh my, Japan may want to sit this one out

Of course I will be forced to watch Japan play and will watch the Iran game. The rest I will boycott because it is not a “World Cup”. Sport is not politics.

Every 4 years the same old story. England is always one of the favourites. People, they have won nothing in 56 years not even the European Cup. At least Denmark and Greece done that. They are a joke! Keep barking British bulldog.

Whatever the outcome it will make a nice winter diversion...

it ain’t always about the results

Exactly! I've attended 3 of them and the experience was 2nd to none compared to watching my team.

They are ALL easy groups. The top two teams qualify from each group. If you cannot be the second best from four, you should be there.

There are 6 teams with a realistic chance of winning. France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and England (OK maybe 5) The rest are there to simply make up the numbers. Japan are firmly in the latter group.

Hopefully this will discourage Japanese fans from traveling to Qatar to attend matches in person since it's obvious Japan will never get out of the Group stage with opponents like that.

Well, part of it I think is going there to pickup the garbage and to clean the stands even when Japan loses to display good manners.

Group G looks the most interesting. Switzerland and Serbia are tough sides. Good outside bet for Brazil being one of the big guns to go out early.

Oh my, Japan may want to sit this one out

Oh, come on. I don’t fancy them to get out of this group but upsets can and have happened.

Even if you don’t give them a chance, this is an opportunity for players to put themselves in the shop window.

Game over, Japan. : (

...

“ Tough group for Japan, but the climate could work to Japan advantage. 

The team need the confidence/belief in themselves and not be phased by reputations. “

“ Challenging group for Moriyasu-Japan, but not impossible. Yes - Spain is difficult, but Germany is not as strong as they once were, and Samurai-Blue are a rising team. “

I respect your optimism but... no. I know, this is football : to be hopeful is not a crime, but...

the thing is ... Germany and Spain only need 50% of what they can do if they want to win against a team like Japan. The Japanese need their full potential and also an incredible amount of luck. Yes, the level of European football is that different (!)

"Football transcends a lot of the political stuff and we are able to remain friends on the pitch," insisted USA coach Gregg Berhalter.

That’s a beautiful thing to say (!)

...

Imho we have Brazil, France, Spain, Portugal, England and Argentina as front-runners.

I’m expecting Germany to improve until the start of the tournament.

Belgium is dangerous but they still need a lot of international experience before they can be called a title contender.

Just being able to compete will be enough. There are many countries, including Italy, that cannot participate. Besides, soccer is not the most popular sport in Japan, and it would be bad for other countries if we win.

France looks tough again.

The whole qualifying process and the way the tournament is set up is deeply flawed. Not having Italy there but having Australia? Ridiculous

but will FIFA change anything? No. This is an organization that just recently discovered the wonders of video replay.

Not having Italy there but having Australia? Ridiculous

what is ridiculous, is narrow minded people who don’t understand the meaning of the word world in World Cup.

If you want to watch only European teams play in a competition, they have one for that - it’s called the Euros.

As a German I will of course support my country and as a European will have sympathy for Spain,but saying the ball is round and everything can happen.

It’s not ideal for Japan but not impossible…

Spain have typically been slow starters in the WC, so we may have a chance to draw against them and if we take care of business against the ic playoff team then we are good

anyways I will also be cheering for my home country as well

Hup holland hup!

and no objections about human rights violations in Qatar and non democratic system?

or will need just bash on Iran or China instead?

what a nice "morale values"!

i will boycott this...

@Samit Basu: You are clearly not a football fan. What a great opportunity if you are Japanese to see them play real, quality teams at full strength in a competition, not an exhibition. Germany and Spain will both want to win the group so fielding full strength teams will make it even more of an experience for the Japanese.

@stickman...well, the Australians are not there yet and unlikely to be. The Italians only have themselves to blame.

England shouldn’t be complacent.

Religious fundamentalism, an undeveloped economy and a generalised intolerance of modern attitudes don’t mean that Scotland or the USA can’t play some good football….

Lots of reasons to feel meh about this, the stadia were built with slave labour, the tournament is mid-season for the major leagues, and FIFA are corrupt as anything. However, its also the last 32 team World Cup. The next one will have 48 teams and drag on just to get FIFA more $$$$.

Japan learning that it's only England that gets soft draws

Serious reality check coming for Japan. Not going to be pretty.

Qatar looks set to offer an exciting FIFA World Cup 2022 to football lovers on the Planet.

The whole qualifying process and the way the tournament is set up is deeply flawed. Not having Italy there but having Australia? Ridiculous

but will FIFA change anything? No.

Ya realize the next World Cup will have 48 (!) countries

Everybody qualifies!