Germany will kick-start their World Cup campaign with a match against Japan at The Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan at 13:00 GMT.
The 2014 champions have had the worst of outcomes in major tournaments after many years of dominating. As defending champions, Die Mannschaft bowed out of the group stage in Russia in 2018 before losing to rivals England in the round of 16 at the 2020 European championship. Hansi Flick who once deputised Joachim Low is now at the helm of affairs with the aim of leading Germany to their first quarter-finals in an international tournament after 2017.
Japan would cherish a last-eight finish after failing to go beyond the Round of 16 in 2002, 2010 and 2018.
FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)
Germany have won and drawn two games each in their last five matches. Japan have also recorded similar results in their last five matches with their only defeat coming against Canada last Thursday.
GERMANY
16 November 2022 Oman 0–1 Germany Friendly
26 September 2022 England 3–3 Germany UEFA Nations League
23 September 2022 Germany 0–1 Hungary UEFA Nations League
11 June 2022 Hungary 1–1 Germany UEFA Nations League
14 June 2022 Germany 5–2 Italy UEFA Nations League
JAPAN
17 November Canada 2–1 Japan International Friendly
27 September 2022 Japan 0–0 Ecuador Kirin Challenge Cup
23 September 2022 Japan 2–0 United States Kirin Challenge Cup
27 July 2022 Japan 3–0 South Korea EAFF E-1 Football Championship
24 July 2022 Japan 0–0 China EAFF E-1 Football Championship
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have locked horns twice. Germany won the first and the second ended in a stalemate.
16 Dec 2004 Japan 0-3 Germany International Friendly
30 May 2006 Germany 2-2 Japan International Friendly
TEAM NEWS
GERMANY
Veteran striker Thomas Müller is still available with the likes of Kai Havertz and Mario Gotze poised to retrieve long-yearned consistent Germany.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
(4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Musiala, Sane; Müller.
JAPAN
Takehiro Tomiyasu could have been the major worry for Japan but the Arsenal defender is expected to be ready for their opening game.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
(4-2-3-1): Gonda; Nagatomo, Yoshida, Tomiyasu, Sakai; Shibasaki, Morita; Kubo, Kamada, Ito; Minamino