Oliver Bierhoff attaches great importance to the final days of preparations for the World Cup in Oman in November.
"Talks and negotiations like this aren't always that easy. In the end, it was important for us to get to Qatar's climatic zone as quickly as possible and be able to play a friendly game there with an opponent who wasn't quite as strong. That also made it easy for the coaches can test when the players come from the current competition, from English weeks," said the DFB director.
The German national soccer team will fly to Oman on November 14, just one day after the end of the 15th Bundesliga matchday. Two days later there will be an international test match against the local hosts, before two days later it's off to the World Cup base at Zulal Wellness Resort on the north coast of Qatar.
"Quickly get used to the time, to the climate"
"The preparation for the tournament is very, very different than it is at other tournaments. And we are grateful to have hit a good goal with Oman," said Bierhoff. When "the climate conditions are different in Germany, you want to be able to get used to the time and the climate quickly," explained the 54-year-old.
The World Cup group draw shattered Bierhoff's initial thoughts about the tournament countdown. A test in Dubai against Japan was originally planned. The Asians were drawn to the DFB team in Group F as the opening opponents on November 23rd. Other opponents in Qatar are Spain (November 27) and Costa Rica (December 1).
"Then there are different discussions. When it comes to such topics, it's the sporting orientation of the respective teams, and the coaches also have their ideas. There are different interests, maybe one or the other economic thing. But for us, of course, the sporting aspect has absolute priority "said the DFB director on the plans for the World Cup.
The last competitive games before the World Cup will take place for the DFB selection at the end of the group stage of the Nations League this Friday in Leipzig against Hungary and on Monday in London against England.
