Group E predictions: FIFA World Cup 2026
As we build up to FIFA World Cup 2026, Group E comes under the spotlight as we assess the prospects of Germany, Curacao, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador.
Fixtures
Matchday 1
Germany vs Curacao
Cote d’Ivoire vs Ecuador
Matchday 2
Germany vs Cote d’Ivoire
Ecuador vs Curacao
Matchday 3
Curacao vs Cote d’Ivoire
Ecuador vs Germany
Click here for a full breakdown of kick-off dates and times for FIFA World Cup 2026!
An eclectic mix of nations makes up Group E with European giants Germany joined by African outfit Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador of South America and debutants Curacao – who will become the smallest country, both by size and population, to play at a FIFA World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann and his Germany side endured a mixed qualification campaign in which a defeat to Slovakia in their opener had to be rectified, which it was in emphatic fashion, hammering the Slovakians by six goals to nil in their final game. However, reservations remain with Nagelsmann returning to being reliant on experience with 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer coming out of retirement alongside surprise picks such as Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane.
Ecuador were superb in CONMEBOL qualification, finishing in second-place behind world and double South American champions Argentina, despite a three-point deduction. They, quite remarkably, conceded just five goals in the process and with that strong defensive core intact, they will be extremely tricky opposition at FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer.
Cote d’Ivoire head into a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014 and Les Elephants, having won the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024, will believe they can be a threat here, especially with striking duo Elye Wahi and Ange-Yoan Bonny having switched their international allegiances from France.
Dick Advocaat oversaw Curacao’s qualification before departing for personal reasons but he has since returned to the hotseat to replace Fred Rutten. His team is made up of Dutch-born dual nationals and while there is useful pedigree there, there is an argument to suggest they are the biggest underdogs, if that isn’t too much of a contradiction in terms, in FIFA World Cup history.
Curacao will set about their business by likely seeking damage limitation and enjoying the experience in what is an awfully tough group and they are expected to finish bottom of Group E without a point to their name.
It will then come down to a mini-league between the others. Simply, even with that added Ivorian firepower, scoring against Ecuador is one of the tougher things to do in international football at the moment and so La Tricolor will fancy themselves to go unbeaten – but Germany should very much out score them when it comes to their respective matches against Curacao. Therefore, Die Mannschaft to pip the group seems a decent bet.
Predicted group placements
1st: Germany
2nd: Ecuador
3rd: Cote d’Ivoire
4th: Curacao
