FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, matchday: England, Germany, Italy, Spain get campaigns underway

A look at what’s happening in 2022 World Cup qualifying in Europe on Thursday: GROUP B Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make his return to international football after an absence of nearly five years when Sweden play Georgia. The 39-year-old AC Milan striker has come out of international retirement ahead of this summer’s European Championship, having last played for Sweden at Euro 2016. Spain host Greece in their first game since a 6-0 rout of Germany in the Nations League last year. Coach Luis Enrique has added a group of talented youngsters to the squad, including 18-year-old Barcelona playmaker Pedri. The coach will not be able to count on injured striker Gerard Moreno. GROUP C After failing to qualify for the last World Cup for the first time in six decades, Italy will be extra keen to get their campaign off to a positive start when they host Northern Ireland. Under Roberto Mancini, Italy haven’t lost in their past 22 matches and are just eight games shy of equalling the Azzurri’s record undefeated streak. They have only lost once to Northern Ireland, in nine meetings, although that defeat saw them fail to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. Italy will be without Chelsea’s Jorginho, who has been a regular starter under Mancini, and Roma’s Bryan Cristante in midfield through injury. But Inter Milan midfielders Nicolò Barella and Stefano Sensi have been allowed to join up with the Italy team by the local health authority following a coronavirus outbreak at the Serie A club. Italy have conceded just three goals in their last 12 matches and that will pose more problems for the Northern Ireland attack, which is already without forwards Liam Boyce and Conor Washington. Bulgaria host Switzerland in the other Group C match. Switzerland are hoping to qualify for a fifth successive World Cup for the first time. Bulgaria have not reached the World Cup finals since 1998 where they went out in the group stage, four years after an impressive fourth-place finish. GROUP F Denmark are the only team in the group to have qualified for the World Cup this century, reaching the round of 16 in 2018, and Kasper Hjulmand’s side open against Israel. Scotland, who are playing at the European Championship this June after reaching their first men’s tournament since the 1998 World Cup, take on Austria. The minnows meet with Moldova hosting the Faeroe Islands. GROUP I England begin their qualifying campaign against San Marino at Wembley Stadium without first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and attacking players Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho, who are all injured. England coach Gareth Southgate is able, however, to call upon defenders John Stones and Luke Shaw and in-form midfielder Jesse Lingard, who are all back in the squad after long absences. Poland visit Hungary and Andorra host Albania in the other games. GROUP J Germany coach Joachim Löw begins his farewell tour against Iceland in Duisberg. It is Germany’s first game since Löw announced he will be quitting after this summer’s European Championship. A good start to World Cup qualifying is vital for a team still smarting from its 6-0 defeat to Spain last November. “I expect a good reaction form the team,” Löw said on Wednesday. But Germany will have to do without Toni Kroos for the upcoming qualifiers against Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia after the Real Madrid midfielder left the team’s training camp on Tuesday with adductor problems. Atalanta left back Robin Gosens and Bayern Munich central defender Niklas Süle are also out. Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich joined up with the team on Monday after recovering from a knock.