2022 World Cup: Germany vs Japan prediction, odds and preview

Germany will play Japan in their opening World Cup 2022 Group E match on Wednesday, looking to put the disappointing memories of Russia 2018 in the past.

Four years earlier, Die Mannschaft was ousted from the group stage, while their Asian rivals came within one goal of shocking Belgium in the round of 16, but ultimately lost.

For Germany at the 2018 World Cup, the curse of the defending champions was very much alive as the team, previously coached by Joachim Low, saw the defense of their 2014 title end at the first hurdle before losing to England in the recent European Championships’ last-16.

Germany will play Japan in their opening World Cup 2022 Group E match on Wednesday, looking to put the disappointing memories of Russia 2018 in the past.

Four years earlier, Die Mannschaft was ousted from the group stage, while their Asian rivals came within one goal of shocking Belgium in the round of 16, but ultimately lost.

For Germany at the 2018 World Cup, the curse of the defending champions was very much alive as the team, previously coached by Joachim Low, saw the defense of their 2014 title end at the first hurdle before losing to England in the recent European Championships’ last-16.

Despite appearing to secure an unexpected path into the World Cup’s last eight with Takashi Inui’s wonder goal against Belgium, the Samurai Blue ultimately fell victim to three Red Devils goals to extinguish their dreams of making their first-ever quarterfinal participation.

In its six World Cup appearances since 1998, Japan has a pattern of losing in the group stage before making it to the round of 16. This does not bode well for Hajime Moriyasu’s team this time around, but qualifying with 15 victories out of 18 and a record 58 goals is unquestionably encouraging.

The four-time World Cup champions have never faced Japan in a competitive match, but it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to learn that they have won both of their prior encounters, with Germany triumphing 3-0 in a friendly in 2004 and drawing 2-2 in another exhibition game two years later.