Germany begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Curaçao in Houston knowing there is no room for a slow start. Julian Nagelsmann’s side are expected to top Group E, with Ecuador and Ivory Coast also waiting later in the section. Anything other than three points here would be a major shock.
That pressure is sharpened by Germany’s recent World Cup record. Back-to-back group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022 still hang over a squad that should be much better equipped this time.
Curaçao arrive at their first World Cup after an unbeaten CONCACAF qualifying campaign, which makes this one of the tournament’s better early stories.
But this is still a huge step up. Dick Advocaat’s side have technical quality and experience, but Germany’s attacking depth should make this a difficult opener to control.
How to watch Germany v Curacao
Germany v Curaçao kicks off at 18:00 BST on Sunday, June 14 at Houston Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV1, with streaming available via ITVX.
In the United States, the game will be shown on FOX and Telemundo.
In Canada, World Cup coverage is available on CTV, TSN and RDS.
Germany team news
Germany were hit by a setback before the tournament when Lennart Karl was ruled out with a thigh injury. Assan Ouedraogo has replaced him in the squad, but is not expected to start this opener.
Joshua Kimmich will captain the side, while Kai Havertz should lead the line. Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are expected to provide the main creative threat behind him.
Nagelsmann has plenty of attacking options, with Leroy Sane, Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade and Maximilian Beier all giving Germany different routes if they need to change the game.
Expected XI:
(4-2-3-1) Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Wirtz, Musiala, Sane; Havertz
Curacao team news
Jurgen Locadia is available for Curaçao after serving a suspension following his red card against Scotland, which ruled him out of their friendly against Aruba.
Leandro Bacuna is expected to captain the side, while Juninho Bacuna should also have an important role in midfield. Tahith Chong and Sontje Hansen give Curaçao some pace and quality in wide areas.
Curaçao are likely to spend long spells without the ball, so Eloy Room could be busy behind a defensive line that will need to handle Germany’s movement between the lines.
Expected XI:
(4-3-3) Room; Sambo, Van Eijma, Obispo, Floranus; L. Bacuna, Roemeratoe, J. Bacuna; Hansen, Locadia, Chong
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Germany v Curacao stats
- Germany have won the World Cup four times.
- Germany have gone out in the group stage at each of the last two World Cups.
- Germany are expected to top Group E, which also includes Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
- Curaçao are playing at a World Cup for the first time.
- Curaçao qualified after going unbeaten in CONCACAF qualifying.
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Germany and Curaçao.
- Kai Havertz has scored 22 goals in 58 appearances for Germany.
- Havertz has scored in each of his last two Germany appearances.
- Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup with a thigh injury.
- Jurgen Locadia is available again after suspension.
Germany v Curacao prediction
Germany should win this, but the betting angle does not need to pretend there is value in the match result alone. The prices already tell that story.
The better route is to expect Germany to score freely while still leaving room for Curaçao to have a moment. Nagelsmann’s side should dominate territory, but tournament openers can become stretched once the favourite has control.
That makes Germany to win and Over 3.5 Goals a sensible starting point. Wirtz, Musiala and Sane should find space around Curaçao’s midfield screen, while Havertz gives them a clear focal point in the box.
But Both Teams to Score is also more interesting than the market may suggest. Curaçao are not here by accident, and Locadia, Chong, Hansen and the Bacuna brothers give them enough attacking experience to make one chance count.
Germany to win and Both Teams to Score fits the shape of the game if Curaçao stay brave enough to attack when they can. It asks for a surprise goal from the underdogs without losing sight of the obvious gap in quality.
A 4-1 Germany win looks a fair prediction, with Nagelsmann’s side starting strongly but Curaçao getting something to show for their first World Cup appearance.
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