The World Cup group stages are continuing in earnest on Wednesday with another four matches.
Among the sides seeing action for the first time are the 2014 champions Germany, who are hoping to bounce back from humiliation in Russia in 2018.
But they face a tricky task against a Japan outfit bringing plenty of Bundesliga experience to Qatar 2022 – here’s everything you need to know about the game.
What time is Germany vs Japan today?
Germany vs Japan kicks off at 1pm (UK time – Qatar is three hours ahead) on Wednesday 23 November at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
The first fixture from Group E, which also includes Spain and Costa Rica, is being broadcast by ITV, with build-up from 12.10pm.
Mark Pougatch is presenting the coverage with commentary Sam Matterface and Ally McCoist, while Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Karen Carney provide analysis from the studio.
The 2022 World Cup is being broadcast entirely on free-to-air television in the UK with BBC and ITV sharing the rights.
All matches are therefore also available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer or, in the case of the Argentina game, the new ITVX streaming platform.
What can you expect from Germany vs Japan?
Germany are attempting to recover from the side’s 2018 elimination from the group stage as the defending champions.
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich was a member of that squad, and has been waiting a long time to banish the memories.
He said ahead of his side’s opening fixture: “Our motivation is huge. We know that was terrible what happened and we have had quite the wait, four-and-a-half years.
“Tomorrow it will be very important to start with a good game. The first game is extremely important. At the Euros we lost the first game and we didn’t win that. It was quite an experience and I hope tomorrow we will be winning.”
His side will be without winger Leroy Sane, who picked up a knee injury in training, but forward Thomas Muller is fit.
Coach Hansi Flick hopes Sane will be available for the crunch Group E game against Spain at the weekend, adding: “Leroy is a player who really can make a difference and turn a game around.”
Eight of the Japan squad play in Germany, including captain and former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida, now with Schalke, who said: “The first match is the challenging one, to win this group it’s a very important match.
“We need to be courageous. Germany is a top team, it’s not easy, but each one of us works hard. We have good qualities and we are united. This is the key.”
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Wednesday’s World Cup action starts with Morocco vs Croatia in Group F, which kicked off at 10am at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
That game is also being shown live on ITV, with coverage presented by Seema Jaswal. Commentary is from Jon Champion and John Hartson, with analysis from Joe Cole, Nadia Nadim and Nigel de Jong.
Following the Germany game we will see their Group E rivals face off as Spain play Costa Rica which kicks off at 4pm at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
This rounds off a triple-bill of live games on ITV today, with Laura Woods presenting, Clive Tyldesley and Lee Dixon on comms, and analysis from Eni Aluko, Gary Neville and Graeme Souness.
Wednesday’s World Cup action culminates with the Group F clash Belgium vs Canada, which gets underway at 7pm from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
For the day’s final fixture the live coverage switches to BBC One, with build-up from 6.30pm. Gary Lineker will be hosting, with commentary from Steve Wilson and Jermaine Jenas.
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