The World Cup ‘group of death’ gets underway on Wednesday, with Spain, Germany, Japan and Costa Rica all in action.
Spain have endured a torrid time since winning the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa, failing to make it out of the groups in 2014 and losing out to Russia in the round of 16 in 2018.
They come Qatar 2022 with renewed optimisim, however, looking to go further after agonisingly missing out on a spot in the Euro 2020 final after losing to Italy on penalties in the semi-final.
Luis Enrique will be looking to guide his Spain side to a first World Cup triumph since 2010
It was another penalty shootout that cost Spain four years ago in Russia, losing out to the hosts in the last-16.
Costa Rica will know they have a supremely tough challenge ahead as they look to make it out of a horror group E. However, they’ve upset the odds before, topping a group including England, Italy and Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
So, with the clash quickly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know below.
Costa Rica have reached four of the last five instalments of the World Cup, only missing 2010
When is Spain vs Costa Rica?
Spain will get their World Cup campaign underway on Wednesday, November 23 against Costa Rica. The game will start at 4pm GMT, 11am EST and 3am on Thursday for Australian Eastern Time.
Date: Wednesday November 23
Time: 4pm (UK), 11am (US) and 3am on Thursday (Australian Eastern Time)
How to watch the match
The game between Spain vs Costa will be aired live on ITV for UK viewers. If you are looking to stream the game, you need to head to the ITV Hub.
The game will be free to watch for all UK viewers with a TV License. Meanwhile, the following stations will be airing the game for American viewers: FOX, Telemundo, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, and Vidgo.
Australian viewers can tune into the game via SBS, who will be televising every match during the 2022 World Cup. SBS On Demand will also stream the Qatar vs Ecuador fixture for those on the move.
If you’re unable to watch the game live, you can relive the action via the FIFA YouTube Channel (Worldwide). The official YouTube channel will be posting highlight reels after each game.
UK: ITV and ITV Hub
US: FOX, Telemundo, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, Vidgo, Sling Blue
Australia: SBS and SBS On Demand
Where is Spain vs Costa Rica being played?
Spain’s fixture against Costa Rica will take place at the Al Thumama Stadium – which is located eight miles outside of the Doha city centre.
The Al Bayt Stadium has a capacity of around 40,000, and is inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional woven cap worn by men across the Middle East, and it’s easy to see in pictures of the stadium.
The 40,000-capacity Al Thumama Stadium will be the venue for Spain versus Costa Rica
The venue (seen above) is due to hold six group games, a last-16 tie and a quarter-final
The World Cup venue was designed by a Qatari architect, Ibrahim Al Jaidah.
The Al Thumama will also half its capacity after the World Cup, donating the seats to developing countries. A mosque and hotel will also open on the site.
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Spain vs Costa Rica: Team news
The big news for Spain upon their official squad announcement was that both Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Manchester United’s David de Gea were left out by Luis Enrique.
Spain legend Sergio Ramos also failed to the make the cut, with central defender Pau Torres expected to star. Another Torres, in former Manchester City star Ferran, is also expected to shine.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, have a number of notable names in their squad, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell both included.
David de Gea (left) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (right) were both left out of the Spain squad
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez, David Raya
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Hugo Guillamon, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Jose Gaya
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Pablo Sarabia, Dani Olmo, Ansu Fati
Costa Rica squad:
Goalkeepers: Esteban Alvarado, Aaron Cruz, Patrick Sequeira
Defenders: Juan Pablo Vargas, Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Bryan Oviedo, Francisco Calvo, Kendall Watson, Carlos Martinez, Ronald Matarrita
Midfielders: Celso Borges, Jewison Bennette, Bryan Ruiz, Daniel Chacon, Anthony Hernandez, Douglas Lopez, Youstin Salas, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres, Roan Wilson, Alvaro Zamora, Brandon Aguilera
Forwards: Anthony Contreras, Johan Venegas, Joel Campbell
Joel Capmbell will take centre-stage for Costa Rica at the World Cup having scored the all-important goal that sent his country to Qatar
Head-to-head record
Spain and Costa Rica have met on three prior occasions, and it’s not overly surprising who has the better record.
Spain have won two of the three encounters, with their first meeting – back in 2011 – ending as a 2-2 draw.
All three matches have been international friendlies, with the remaining two finishing 2-1 to Spain in 2015, and 5-0 to Spain in 2017.
Group E fixtures
- Germany vs Japan – Wednesday, November 23
- Spain vs Costa Rica – Wednesday, November 23
- Japan vs Costa Rica – Sunday, November 27
- Spain vs Germany – Sunday, November 27
- Japan vs Spain – Thursday, December 1
- Costa Rica vs Costa Rica – Thursday, December 1
