Germany vs Curacao Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Four-time world champions Germany kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against debutant minnows Curacao in Houston.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Germany preview: Experienced Germans
Julian Nagelsman has fallen back on experience for his Germany squad this summer. Along with the retirement reversal of Manuel Neuer, Die Mannschaft have also stuck by Antonio Rudiger as well as recalling Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane.
The Germans began qualification extremely poorly with a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava. They eventually roared back through to secure top spot in Group A of UEFA qualifying, finishing up with a 6-0 demolition of the aforementioned Slovakians to finish above them.
Curacao preview: Minnows Curacao
Curacao have qualified for their first ever FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean island are the smallest country, by both size and population, to ever qualify for the tournament - albeit they are helped by the several Dutchman of Curacao descent switching their international allegiance.
Former Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat led Curacao to their famous qualification before having to step down with his daughter suffering from illness. However, after a short stint in charge from Fred Rutten, Advocaat has returned and will lead the minnows into this summer's tournament, becoming the oldest ever FIFA World Cup coach in the process.
Germany team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Curacao team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Germany’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Joshua Kimmich ($5.5m) – Defender
Florian Wirtz ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Lennart Karl ($4.8m) – Midfielder
Matchday 1 captain pick: Florian Wirtz
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz
Free kicks: Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich, David Raum
Corners: Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich, David Raum
Curacao’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Leandro Bacuna ($4.0m) – Defender
Tahith Chong ($4.2m) – Midfielder
Jurgen Locadia ($4.1m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Tahith Chong
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna
Free kicks: Juninho Bacuna
Corners: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna
Key stats
- Germany have appeared in more editions of the FIFA World Cup than any other European nation, with 2026 marking their 21st participation. They have always successfully come through qualifying when they have entered it, and this year’s event represents their 19th consecutive campaign at the competition, as they last missed out in 1950.
- Four-time FIFA World Cup champions, Die Mannschaft have contested the final on eight occasions, which is more than any other nation.
- Despite their tournament pedigree, Germany suffered group-stage exits in the last two editions. Prior to 2018, the only time they had not managed to advance beyond the first round was in 1938.
- Germany have begun their last two FIFA World Cup campaigns with defeat, losing 1-0 to Mexico in 2018 and 2-1 to Japan in 2022.
- Curacao have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, a historic milestone for the Caribbean nation. With a population of just over 150,000, they become the smallest country ever to feature in the tournament’s history.
- Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat will establish a new benchmark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the oldest coach in tournament history at 78 years and 260 days when his side meets Germany on 14 June. His record will follow two earlier milestones in the same edition: South Africa’s Hugo Broos briefly setting a new high at 74 years and 62 days in the opening match, and Czechia’s Miroslav Koubek surpassing him later that day at 74 years and 283 days. Both had overtaken Otto Rehhagel’s previous record of 71 years and 317 days from 2010.
- At 40 years and 79 days, Manuel Neuer could become the oldest German ever to appear in a match at the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Fritz Walter, who was 37 years and 236 days old when he faced Sweden on 24 June 1958.
- At 38, Julian Nagelsmann is the youngest head coach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Dick Advocaat, at 78, is the oldest. The 40‑year age gap between them is the largest ever between two head coaches in a FIFA World Cup fixture.
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Germany vs Curacao prediction
Curacao aren't as hapless as many may expect a tiny debutant island to be. They do lack a bit of quality, particularly in attack, but the pedigree of their industrious midfield should ensure they can be a little more awkward than generally expected. That said, even with fallibilities and some concerns over the real quality of this German side, anything other than a heavy victory for the Europeans would be something of a surprise in Group E.
Germany vs Curacao betting tip: Germany to win with -2 handicap
