It’s getting serious for Germany: Manuel Neuer’s team will play against Japan in Group E this Wednesday in Doha. Because the German captain will not wear a OneLove armband, there has been a hail of criticism on social media. There are even several petitions calling on the goalkeeper to put on the OneLove armband despite the ban.
The German team is being portrayed in satirical comments as a team without backbone.
The @DFB_Team is reacting cowardly to the @FIFAcom threat of sporting sanction for the OneLove armband. Captain @Manuel_Neuer now has a great chance, comments @platschinho, reporting for t-online from Qatar: https://t.co/mw7aTxHuoe pic.twitter.com/6zWamfrJHg
– t-online (@tonline) November 22, 2022
Owing to knee problems, attacking player Leroy Sané will not take part in the opener.
Later in the afternoon, the young Spain team will take on Costa Rica. 12 Spanish players have already won U19 or U21 titles. Coach Luis Enrique is counting on captain Sergio Busquets and Manchester City star Rodri.
Spain will then play Germany on Sunday.
Two matches in Group F also take place this Wednesday – as Euronews correspondent Sam Ashoo explains, “The match of the day in Group F is Belgium vs Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Coach Roberto Martinez will have to do without his star striker Romelu Lukaku for the opening game, who may miss the entire World Cup due to a hamstring injury.
For Belgium, this could be the last chance to win a World Cup with its golden generation.
Anticipation is high as Canada is back at a World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
In the other Group F match, Croatia faces Morocco.
The games have been open, exciting and interesting so far, let’s hope it stays that way. “