Group E – Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan

Spain vs Germany is the game of the round, even if the Germans were dire – and thus very watchable – in Russia four years ago. Both countries were World Cup winners in the previous decade and both are now rebuilding after the passing into history of previous golden generations. Costa Rica or New Zealand are the teams in the play-off for the final spot. Japan have been in every World Cup since 1998. Although this group is all about the two big guns, after the calamity of 2018, one cannot now assume Germany will automatically advance.

Qualify: Spain, Japan

Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Two very powerful football nations in Belgium and Croatia – World Cup 2018’s losing semi-finalists – and then two for whom qualifying for the tournament was the key battle to be won. Morocco have been to one World Cup finals in the last five. Canada, managed by Englishman John Herdman, have only ever qualified once before, in 1986. So likely Group F comes back to the game between the two famous names and the fear that there might not be much jeopardy.

Qualify: Belgium, Croatia

Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Another unfortunate repeat of the 2018 draw that makes it all feel a little tired. Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia were in Group E together in Russia and finished in that order in the top three places. Cameroon faced Brazil in the group stages in 2014 in what was a very poor tournament for the African nation. On ranking form alone it should be Brazil and Switzerland that make it through to the second round quite comfortably.

Qualify: Brazil, Switzerland

Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

A lot of Cristiano Ronaldo drama awaits although one assumes he will play on for Portugal post-2022 and until they change the locks at the training ground. Portugal lost to Uruguay in the round of 16 in Russia four years ago. The most eagerly anticipated game – and potentially one of the best in the round – will be Uruguay against Ghana. It was Luiz Suarez’s last-minute handball in the quarter-final against Ghana in 2010 that denied the African side the chance to be the first side from their continent in a World Cup semi-final. They then lost on penalties after Suarez was sent off. South Korea have been in each of the previous nine World Cup finals back to 1986.

Qualify: Uruguay, Ghana