FRANKFURT, 10 Dic. (dpa / EP) –
German coach Hansi Flick cited Spain as a possible rival for Germany in a friendly in the first months of 2022, after initiating consultations with other federations such as England and the Netherlands, to start preparations for the World Cup in Qatar.
“There have been consultations with England, the Netherlands and Spain,” Hansi Flick told the public channel ZDF in an interview published this Friday.
The final decision will be made after the 2022-23 Nations League group stage draw, scheduled for December 16. England and Spain could be potential rivals for Germany in June and September, making a March friendly unlikely.
Flick added that he wants the first game of the year to be at home, on March 26, against a non-European rival. South Africa would be the preferred choice for the coach, according to ‘Kicker’ magazine.
The Qatar World Cup will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022, and the draw for the group stage will be held on April 1. Germany, which qualified without major problems in an affordable group, have yet to face much of a rival since Flick took office.
“We want to be as successful as possible. We cannot guarantee success, but we will be well prepared,” said the German coach ahead of the World Cup.