will start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the smallest inhabitants ever to qualify, , in an intriguing Group E accomplished by , who completed second in South American qualifying, and 2023 Afcon champions .
Germany arrive with optimism underneath the steerage of Julian Nagelsmann, and the nation expects rather more than their previous two group-stage exits. However they face stiff competitors from Ecuador’s golden technology, constructed round midfielder Moises , in addition to a gifted Ivory Coast facet who may spring a shock.
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Curacao are the minnows of the group however Dick Advocaat has constructed a stable defensive unit and a group cohesion that has seen them rival greater nations, and offers each facet hope of qualifying for the knockout levels, with eight third-placed sides progressing from the 12 teams.
Group E fixtures
(all instances BST)
14 June, 6pm: Germany 7-1 Curacao – NRG Stadium, Houston
15 June, 12am: Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador – Lincoln Monetary Discipline, Philadelphia
20 June, 9pm: Germany v Ivory Coast – BMO Discipline, Toronto
21 June, 1am: Ecuador v Curacao – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas Metropolis
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25 June, 9pm: Ecuador v Germany – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
25 June, 9pm: Curacao v Ivory Coast – Lincoln Monetary Discipline, Philadelphia
Germany
After , Germany are displaying indicators they’ll go a lot additional this time underneath Julian Nagelsmann. Their final World Cup knockout sport was the 2014 remaining in Rio de Janeiro, when Mario Gotze scored the winner in additional time. That appears a lifetime in the past, however the Germans certified confidently for the 2026 World Cup and should not have any drawback progressing to the final 32.
The query for Nagelsmann is precisely how he units up his group, with loads of attacking choices to select from. and will compete to guide the road, and behind them he has a raft of attacking gamers together with , , , and teenager .
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Issue within the expertise and high quality of , , and captain by means of the backbone of the facet, and Germany start to appear like a group who can go far in North America this summer season.
Lennart Karl has shortly made a reputation for himself at (Getty)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: (Hoffenheim), (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel ()
Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), (), (), (Leipzig), (Borussia Dortmund), Antonio Rudiger (), (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), (Mainz), (Borussia Dortmund), (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), (Brighton)
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Forwards: Kai Havertz (), (Stuttgart), (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Star participant – Florian Wirtz, Liverpool: A two-goal burst in opposition to Switzerland in March was a reminder that for all Wirtz’s struggles at the beginning of the season with Liverpool, he stays a supreme attacking menace.
Breakout expertise – Lennart Karl, Bayern Munich: The 18-year-old has been spectacular for Bayern Munich this season and will nicely pressure himself into Germany’s beginning XI because the match progresses.
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Fifa rating: 10.
Odds to win the World Cup: 16/1, newest odds by way of the .
Ecuador
It’s one thing of a cliche in worldwide soccer – and sometimes a curse – however Ecuador have their very own golden technology proper now and nobody will fancy taking up this quick and bodily facet managed by Argentine coach Sebastian Beccacece. They conceded solely 5 targets in 18 World Cup qualifying video games, ending second within the standings forward of Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, and behind solely Argentina.
Ecuador have gifted gamers posted throughout Europe, together with Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan at , PSG defender and Union SG ahead . However their secret’s undoubtedly Moises Caicedo, and if the Chelsea midfielder brings his harmful greatest to the World Cup, Ecuador would possibly justify their tag as darkish horses.
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Beccacece is a protege of Jorge Sampaoli and was his assistant when Chile gained the Copa America in 2015, earlier than putting out on his personal. He has established a high-pressing, hard-working type in control of Ecuador and his technique has introduced outcomes, with just one defeat after 18 video games in cost and a defensive energy that appears excellent for knockout soccer.
They need to attain the latter levels, and their match with Germany in New Jersey on the finish of the group stage might be a shootout for prime spot.
Moises Caicedo has developed into among the best midfielders within the Premier League (Getty)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez (Huracan), Moises Ramirez (Kifisia), (LDU Quito).
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Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (), Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan), Felix Torres (Internacional), Joel Ordonez (Membership Brugge), (Tijuana), (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), Kendry Paez (River Plate), (UNAM), Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle), (Midtjylland), (Genk)
Forwards: (Pachuca), Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise), (Huracan), (Sunderland), (Antwerp), Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart)
Coach: Sebastian Beccacece
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Star participant – Moises Caicedo, Chelsea: The 24-year-old has developed into among the best all-round midfielders within the Premier League. There had been considerations he could be suspended for Ecuador’s opening sport in opposition to Ivory Coast, however Fifa has now cleared all bans for the group levels.
Breakout expertise – Kendry Paez, River Plate: The 19-year-old, who already has 24 caps for his nation, was snapped up by Chelsea final summer season earlier than spending time on mortgage at Strasbourg and River Plate this season. His dribbling will likely be an vital outlet for Ecuador.
Fifa rating: 23.
Odds to win the World Cup: 100/1.
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Ivory Coast
Twelve years after Ivory Coast final certified for the World Cup, they’re again, aiming to flee their group for the primary time after ending third in every match between 2006 and 2014. A 93rd minute penalty by Greece’s Georgis Samaras knocked out the Ivorians in Brazil, they usually haven’t returned to a World Cup since.
In these days, gamers like , and Salamon Kalou gave Ivory Coast the standard to push European and South American giants shut. Now a gifted new technology can take the nation to the knockout rounds, and each Germany and Ecuador will likely be cautious of Les Elephants.
Emerse Fae was memorably parachuted into the job throughout the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, main the group to shock continental glory. His file of solely 5 defeats in 31 video games suggests it was no fluke, and March pleasant wins over South Korea (in Milton Keynes, clearly) and Scotland pointed to a group filled with confidence.
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Maybe Fae’s most tough process is deciding who to depart on the bench. and are choices on the best wing; the thrilling and will compete on the left; Oumar Diakite, and can lead the road. Whoever he chooses, Ivory Coast will likely be sometimes quick, highly effective and technically gifted, with loads in reserve ought to Fae want to vary a sport.
Amad Diallo in motion throughout a pleasant win over Scotland (Getty)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: (Wolves), (Istanbul Basaksehir), (Sporting), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossonou (Atalanta), (Roma), (Galatasaray)
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Midfielders: (Rennes), (Charleroi), (Al Ahli), Christ Oulai (Trabzonspor), Ibrahim Sangare (), Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (), Amad Diallo (), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomande (), Evann Guessand (), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), (Good)
Coach: Emerse Fae
Star participant – Ousmane Diomande, Sporting: The Sporting centre-back is the whole defender, with tempo, energy and the ability to interrupt strains and carry the ball himself.
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Breakout expertise – Yan Diomande, RB Leipzig: The 19-year-old would possibly already be too good for the ‘breakout’ tag, given he has carried out so impressively within the Bundesliga and the Africa Cup of Nations this season. However a giant World Cup can elevate him to a different degree, and large golf equipment throughout Europe will likely be watching.
Fifa rating: 34.
Odds to win the World Cup: 300/1.
Curacao
has a inhabitants of 150,000, about the identical measurement as Northampton. However Curacao punched above their weight in qualifying, going unbeaten all through to e book themselves a spot in North America.
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Curacao has taken benefit of its shut relationship with the Netherlands since gaining independence from the Dutch in 2010, with lots of their gamers growing in Eredevisie academies. Gamers like Lenadro Bacuna and may have certified for the Netherlands however have been persuaded to commit their allegiance to the Caribbean island.
Legendary Dutch coach Dick Advocaat steered Curacao by means of qualification earlier than quitting the job to spend time along with his unwell daughter. However on the eve of the match, the 78-year-old returned, along with his temporary alternative Fred Rutten resigning amid discontent amongst some gamers and sponsors about Advocaat’s departure. He’ll change into the oldest man to handle at a World Cup.
They’re the underdogs in Group E, and their purpose is to pinch a shock outcome in opposition to both Germany or Ecuador, and arrange a showdown with Ivory Coast to sneak by means of to the knockout rounds.
Curacao have fun qualifying for the World Cup (AFP/Getty)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: (SC Telstar), (VVV-Venlo), (Miami FC)
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Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), (Kayserispor), (RKC Waalwijk), (PEC Zwolle), (NEC Nijmegen), Jurien Gaari (Abha Membership), (PSV Eindhoven), (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders: (FC Volendam), (Igdir), (FC Zurich), (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham), (SC Telstar), (RKC Waalwijk)
Forwards: (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), (Maccabi Haifa), (Middlesbrough), (Terengganu), (FC Volendam), (Miami FC), (SK Beveren)
Coach: Dick Advocaat
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Star participant – Leandro Bacuna, Igdir: The previous Aston Villa midfielder now performs within the Turkish second tier however the 34-year-old is Curacao’s captain and has been a cornerstone of the group’s success underneath Advocaat.
Breakout expertise – Livano Comenencia, FC Zurich. Curacao aren’t blessed with younger expertise, partly because of luring older gamers who haven’t damaged into the , however one to observe is 22-year-old right-sided participant Comenencia, who developed in PSV’s academy earlier than becoming a member of Juventus after which Zurich, and performed by means of the Netherlands age teams earlier than committing to Curacao in 2024.
Fifa rating: 82.
Odds to win the World Cup: 5000/1.
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Group E prediction
Germany ought to have sufficient to win the group regardless of fierce competitors from Ecuador, who will likely be pipped into second place. Ivory Coast can count on to complete third, with Curacao backside of the pile.