Exactly 100 days until the start of the World Cup: At the XXL World Cup, Germany will face three nations in Group E that could cause problems for the DFB team.
There are exactly 100 days left until the ball rolls across the World Cup pitches in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Three countries with a total of 16 venues. The first game of the World Cup between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa will take place on June 11th at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.
For Germany, the tournament starts on June 14th (7 p.m. CEST) in Houston. The start of a group phase that at first glance seems easier for the Germans than it really is.
The situation of the DFB eleven
If you look at the market value of the individual national teams in Group E, then Germany is the clear favorite. But in the qualifying round the team repeatedly showed weaknesses, especially against smaller teams.
In the last game, Germany won convincingly 6-0 against Slovakia.
The early defeat against Slovakia, a hard-fought win against Northern Ireland and a relatively narrow 2-0 against Luxembourg. After all: In the last game of the qualification, the DFB team won convincingly 6-0 against Slovakia. Only the next preparatory games will show whether coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team can use this momentum and stay in shape.
Germany Achievers
In an interview with “kicker”, Nagelsman has already made at least some of his decisions regarding personnel. Joshua Kimmich and Oliver Baumann are set according to Nagelsmann. But what about other top performers like Nick Woltemade and Jamal Musiala – can they get back to their old form?
Woltemade has experienced a goal drought at Newcastle United in the Premier League in recent months. Musiala suffered a horror injury at the Club World Cup that kept him out for months. Above all, with a powerful offensive, Germany could succeed in improving the exploitation of opportunities, which can often be improved.
Curaçao – The “Blue Wave” from the Caribbean
In the first group game, Germany meets Curaçao. By qualifying for the tournament, the Caribbean island achieved a historic success. They are the smallest country to ever take part in a World Cup. A success that inspires the so-called “Blue Wave” – the team’s nickname.
Even if their successful coach Dick Advocaat won’t be on the sidelines at the World Cup. According to Advocaat, the reason for his withdrawal from the coaching position was his daughter’s health. His successor: Fred Rutten, Advocaat’s compatriot and former Schalke 04 coach.
A fan of Curaçao’s national team
In addition to the coach, a large part of the squad also comes from the Netherlands. However, many players have roots on the Caribbean island, which is why they are allowed to play for the national team. Many of them are seasoned footballers from the English first and second divisions or the Dutch Eredivisie. Tahith Chong (Werder Bremen) and Jürgen Locadia (TSG Hoffenheim, VfL Bochum) already played in the Bundesliga.
The Ecuadorian Wall
Ecuador also has a former Bundesliga player, Piero Hincapié. But he is not the only big name in the Ecuadorian defense. With Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge) and Willian Pacho (PSG), there are two other top defenders in Ecuador’s back four.
Ecuador’s three most valuable players Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié (from left to right).
Probably the biggest talent is Moisés Caicedo from Chelsea FC, who can be used in a variety of ways in midfield. The star can be used not only defensively and centrally, but also offensively. Ecuador was able to show defensive strength in the qualifying round: with only five goals conceded, they have the best defense in South America.
Ivory Coast: reparation for the Africa Cup exit
For Ivory Coast, the last major competition did not go as planned. The Elephants, as the team is called, came to the Africa Cup of Nations as defending champions. In the end it was over in the quarterfinals. A big disappointment, which top performer Amad Diallo (Manchester United) commented on Instagram: “A shattered dream, but I am very happy about the solidarity we had in the team. We will come back stronger than ever.”
Diallo was able to impress at the Africa Cup. Three goals and one assist from five games made him the team’s best scorer. In addition to Diallo, talent from the Bundesliga can also be expected in the Ivory Coast’s final selection. Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig and Bazoumana Touré from TSG Hoffenheim will most likely go to the World Cup.
What will the final squad look like?
It is difficult to predict what will happen in 100 days before the World Cup and who will be available at the end, let alone who will make the squad. What Nagelsmann will pay attention to when making the selection, he said in an interview with the “kicker”: “It’s about who fits together. There will be decisions, I can already tell you that, that will probably not be very well understood. Not by the player, but not by the general public either. Because perhaps a player is not planned for our first team, but is a regular player and top performer at his club.”
Photo gallery
Winston-Salem: The headquarters of the German national team.
The squad for the next test matches before the World Cup will be announced on March 19th. According to Nagelsmann, this should be “similar to the World Cup squad”.
In the test matches, the DFB team will face Switzerland on March 27th and Ghana on March 30th. At the beginning of June we will go to the headquarters in Winston-Salem in the US state of North Carolina.
