FIFA has confirmed that Germany are in Pot 1 of the World Cup draw. But a new tournament tree like in tennis makes it more difficult for the German team.
The top 4 in the world rankings will be divided into four different quarters of the tournament tree in the knockout round in the draw on Friday next week (December 5th).
This means that Spain, Argentina, France and England can only meet in the semi-finals – provided they each win their group. A big advantage for these teams. In the semi-finals, Spain or Argentina would play against France or England as the top two teams in the rankings.
Difficult path for Germans National team
For the German team, which is ninth in the rankings, this means that they have to beat up to three of these four teams in order to win the title, which national coach Julian Nagelsmann had announced as their goal. In their quarter of the tournament tree, the German team would have a team from the top 4 as an opponent in the quarterfinals at the latest. Then another top team in the semi-finals and in the final.
Draw on Friday, game plan on Sunday next week
The draw on Friday next week does not yet provide any certainty about the exact fixtures.
FIFA will only publish the exact game plan on Saturday, one day after the draw. Only then will it be clear in which cities and at what times the German team will play.
Tough opponents and easy groups are equally possible
The draw can bring an easy or a difficult group for the German team. An opponent comes from each of the draw pots 2 to 4. Pot 4 may contain Italy’s lot if the team prevails in the playoffs.
The four lottery pots as confirmed by FIFA at a glance:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, UEFA Playoff A, UEFA Playoff B, UEFA Playoff C, UEFA Playoff D, FIFA Playoff 1, FIFA Playoff 2