Even if soccer fans in Central Europe and especially in Germany are still having a hard time, at least for now, with the idea of a Fifa World Cup in December, held in the desert state of Qatar. Qatar, is clear: it will be drawn first and played in a few months. What are human rights compared to the golden World Cup trophy that the DFB-Elf could win for the fifth time? But first of all, they need group opponents. And it is precisely these that will be drawn – no April Fool’s joke – on Friday, April 01, 2022.

World Cup 2022: Group draw in Qatar – the possible opponents of the DFB team

What can come? The four-time world champion Germany is second lottery pot set. From pot one, they could get Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal or host Qatar. The threat of a real Qatar knockout is already looming in the preliminary round of the World Cup. The DFB team can be drawn with a maximum of one European opponent. Since three of the 32 World Cup participants have not yet been determined, it could also happen that the DFB team only knows two of Germany’s three preliminary round opponents after the ceremony. The German group could turn out to be a demanding and prestigious one – Brazil, Poland, Cameroon. Or sound like a walkover: Qatar, Canada, Tunisia.

Watch World Cup 2022 draw on TV and live stream

Without media attention goes the group draw for the Soccer World Cup 2022 in Qatar will of course not take place. For you, this means that you can watch the lively drawing of lots from 6 p.m. on April 1 in the comfort of your own home on TV or online at the Live stream watch. On the one hand you can watch the draw on the Fifa website in the free live stream. On free TV, the draw will be shown on ARD as part of the “Sportschau” program. Starting at 17.55, Das Erste will provide live information on Germany’s group opponents. In addition to a ARD live stream also offers “sportschau.de” (also via app) offers a live stream of the draw. The draw can also be seen live on Magenta TV.

Soccer World Cup 2022: How the draw for the preliminary round groups works

FIFA will use the March 31 world rankings as the basis for dividing up the qualified teams, according to the world governing body. In addition to the seven top-ranked teams, hosts Qatar will also be a group head in the April 1 draw in Doha. The German team is currently eleventh in the rankings behind eight teams that have already qualified. At the last World Cup with 32 participants, there will be eight groups with four teams each.

In the draw, 28 qualified teams will be determined alongside hosts Qatar and divided among four draw pots according to their world rankings. In addition, there will be the winners of two intercontinental deciders and a winner of the European playoffs. Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Ukraine’s semifinal in Scotland had been moved to June. These three wildcard lots will go into the weakest pot four.

FIFA seeding list stands: DFB selection in pot two for World Cup draw

As expected, the German national soccer team faces a prestigious opponent in the draw for the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this Friday in Doha. FIFA on Thursday published the new world rankings as of March 31, 2022, which are decisive for the seeding list. The DFB selection is seeded in pot two and could therefore already meet a top nation from pot one such as record world champion Brazil and defending champion France in the group stage. Host Qatar has also been placed in the first draw pot. Three World Cup participants have not yet been determined and will be decided in the final playoff matches in June.

World Cup groups are drawn: Crackers and wild cards possible for DFB selection

At the group draw in the Congress Center in Doha, the DFB selection is also threatened with a tough opponent. Germany will only be placed in pot two. Possible constellations include a group with record world champions Brazil, Poland and Cameroon – but also one with hosts Qatar, Tunisia and the winner of the qualifying match between New Zealand and Costa Rica. During the draw, record international Lothar Matthäus also draws the balls with the nations. Among them are three wildcards for matches to be played in the summer.

The draw pots at a glance: