ANKARA

Former world champions Spain (2010) and Germany (2014) will be in the same group at the Qatar 2022 World Cup according to Friday’s group stage draw in Doha.

In Group E, Spain will take on Germany, Japan, and the winner of inter-confederation playoff 2 (Costa Rica or New Zealand).

2018 champions France will play in Group D, where Les Bleus will face Denmark, Tunisia, and the winner of inter-confederation playoff 1 (Peru or Australia/United Arab Emirates).

On hand for Friday's draw were former star players such as Cafu (Brazil), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Jermaine Jenas (England), and Tim Cahill (Australia).

French national team head coach Didier Deschamps brought the World Cup trophy to the stage.

Deschamps won the World Cup in 1998 as a player, and in 2018 as France’s coach.

The Qatar 2022 mascot La'eeb, which resembles a stylized Arab keffiyeh extended into wings, was introduced before the draw.

In addition, the 2022 World Cup soundtrack single "Hayya Hayya" (Better Together) was performed by Trinidad Cardona, Davido, and Aisha.

Qatar, in Pot 1 as the FIFA World Cup host nation, are set to face Ecuador in the opening game on Nov. 21.

The World Cup will be held from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 with 32 teams in eight groups.

Qatar 2022 groups

Group A: Qatar (hosts), Ecuador, Senegal, the Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, US, European playoff winner (Wales or Scotland/Ukraine)

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Inter-confederation playoff winner 1 (Peru or Australia/United Arab Emirates)

Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Inter-confederation playoff winner 2 (Costa Rica or New Zealand)

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea