Former world champion Toni Kroos sees the German group at the 2022 World Cup as “a middle ground” between the challenges of the past two tournaments.
“I don’t see them as difficult as at the EM, I don’t see them as easily on paper as in 2018, although I have to be careful there,” said Kroos (32) in his podcast “Einfach mal Luppen” in conversation with brother Felix .
At the EM in 2021, Germany advanced after games against Portugal, France and Hungary. At the 2018 World Cup, the DFB selection did not survive the group stage with opponents Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.
“Of course it’s a group that you have to get through, no question about it,” said Kroos, looking ahead to the finals at the end of the year (November 21 to December 18). “We said that in 2018, so it didn’t work that well.” In Qatar, Germany will first meet Japan, Spain and the winner of the playoff game between New Zealand and Costa Rica.
“You don’t lean out of the window when you say the group has to be survived,” said Kroos, who ended his DFB career after the European Championship last year. “I think you have to beat Japan, with Spain you have a – as of now – 50-50 thing.”