ITâS ALMOST TIME!
The 2026 World Cup will get underway subsequent Thursday (11).
After the breakdown of and , it’s now time for 2 extra: E and F.
Which function and the , for instance.
Commercial
The highest two groups in every group will advance to the preliminary spherical of 32 together with the eight finest third-placed groups.
See under how the groups in these teams are shaping up and have your say: who ought to qualify?
đ Group E
Match Schedule đ
June 14 – 2pm – Germany x Curaçao
June 14 – 8pm – Ivory Coast x Ecuador
June 20 – 5pm – Germany x Ivory Coast
June 20 – 9pm – Ecuador x Curaçao
June 25 – 5pm – Germany x Ecuador and Curaçao x Ivory Coast
4-time champions, runners-up on 4 different events, and absent solely from the 1930 and 1950 editions, Germany have one main mission among the many sportâs heavyweights: keep away from one other embarrassment.
Commercial
After a run of runner-up finishes, two third-place finishes and the title in 2014, Die Nationalelf suffered group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
The qualifying marketing campaign started with the shock of a defeat to Slovakia, however the ticket was secured straight.
Julian Nagelsmann â in cost since September 2023 â as soon as once more known as up , who had retired from worldwide obligation.
was tipped to be one of many World Cupâs standout names, however remains to be trying to find full health after a critical damage.
The ultimate squad was up to date this Friday with .
đ¸ Alexander Hassenstein – 2026 Getty Photos
Commercial
, and Woltemade will battle for the function of fundamental goalscorer throughout the World Cup.
One of many debutants, Curaçao made waves within the teaching carousel by asserting the return of veteran Dick Advocaat, 78, the person liable for guiding the Caribbean aspect to the World Cup.
In a qualifying marketing campaign with out , the USA and , Curaçao got here via two levels unbeaten to qualify straight â sending to the playoffs.
Midfielder , who had notable spells at and Cardiff, is among the key figures. He will likely be joined by his brother Juninho.
đ¸ Tim Warner – 2025 Getty Photos
Commercial
Ecuador, led by SebastiĂĄn Beccacece, completed behind solely in qualifying.
Securing their fifth World Cup look.
The marketing campaign featured solely two defeats and an unbelievable 5 objectives conceded throughout 18 matches.
They conceded one in every of the primary three rounds after which have been solely breached once more within the seventh () and thirteenth (Venezuela).
The principle goal is seen as achievable: at the very least matching their run to the spherical of 16 in 2006.
Middle-back duo Pacho and HincapiÊ, each Champions League finalists, are amongst their greatest strengths.
đ¸ Gabriel Aponte – 2024 Getty Photos
MoisĂŠs Caicedo is the boss of midfield. Veteran remains to be delivering objectives.
Commercial
They’ve 5 gamers who play in Brazil: Preciado, Alan Franco and (all at AtlĂŠtico), Plata (Flamengo) and FĂŠlix Torres (Internacional).
Ivory Coast have simply overwhelmed an virtually full-strength earlier than the journey to the World Cup.
A outcome that enhances expectations across the Elephantsâ efficiency.
They noticed Gabon put collectively a robust marketing campaign, however certified without having the playoffs for the fourth World Cup of their historical past after lacking out in 2018 and 2022.
The mission: attain the knockout stage for the primary time.
The brand new technology options a number of skills. Amongst them are and Diallo (already extra skilled), and Bony.
đ¸ LOIC VENANCE – AFP or licensors
Commercial
KessiĂŠ stays the chief with regards to expertise. He’s joined by , SangarĂŠ and PĂŠpĂŠ.
đ Group F
Match Schedule đ
June 14 – 5pm – Netherlands x Japan
June 14 – 11pm – Sweden x Tunisia
June 20 – 2pm – Netherlands x Sweden
June 21 – 1am – Tunisia x Japan
June 26 – 8pm – Netherlands x Tunisia and Japan x Sweden
Has the long-awaited second lastly arrived for the Netherlands?
Expertise has by no means been missing. However the three runner-up finishes nonetheless sting. And they’re going to attempt to finish that drought of their twelfth World Cup.
They didn’t beat Poland of their qualifying group, however noticed their rivals slip up extra typically and certified straight.
Commercial
There are 15 gamers from Premier League golf equipment (the injured would have been the sixteenth) and a number of other standout names.
, Dumfries, , , Reijnders, and Memphis carry the duty of main the group as soon as once more coached by Ronald Koeman.
Memphis, for instance, has the âmissionâ of scoring objectives in âhugeâ video games.
He grew to become the nationwide groupâs all-time high scorer (55 objectives) after surpassing .
Japan have booked their place on the eighth World Cup of their historical past.
Qualification got here with out scares, with and left behind.
Commercial
Their finest runs? Reaching the spherical of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022.
An more and more âEuropeanâ Japan aspect options a number of standout gamers at necessary golf equipment on the Previous Continent.
Endo (), (Sociedad), DĹan (Eintracht), (Palace), (Feyenoord) and Maeda (Celtic) are among the many fundamental hopes.
Sweden had an embarrassing qualifying marketing campaign (zero wins and backside of the group), however received a second likelihood because of their Nations League efficiency.
They beat Ukraine and Poland within the playoffs to safe a spot on the thirteenth World Cup of their historical past â returning after lacking .
Commercial
They have been runners-up to Brazil in 1958 and in addition reached three different semi-finals.
Their final good marketing campaign was in 2018, once they made the quarter-finals.
đ¸ Linnea Rheborg – 2026 Getty Photos
It’s simple that a lot of the expertise is in assault:Â GyĂśkeres â scorer of 158 objectives for golf equipment over the past 5 seasons â and .
Tunisia have reached a World Cup for the seventh time â the third in a row.
That they had essentially the most dominant qualifying marketing campaign in Africa.
Solely six call-ups play within the nation: 28 factors from a potential 30.
Talbi and Abdi, who play in France, are defensive property.
đ¸ SAMEER AL-DOUMY – AFP or licensors
Commercial
No. 10 , developed at United and now at Burnley, is the principle midfield reference alongside âs .
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
