Form and Line-up Germany
Germany approach the 2026 World Cup under 38-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, whose contract has been extended until 2028. After a painful extra-time exit to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on home soil, the team are determined to make amends for their failures at the 2018 World Cup and 2022 World Cup, where they did not even get out of the group.
In World Cup qualifying, Germany made an uncertain start, losing to Slovakia (0:2) in their opener, but then put together five straight wins with an aggregate goal difference of 16:1 and secured top spot in the standings ahead of schedule. The Germans also played several friendlies, where they extended their winning run — scoring four goals each against Switzerland (4:3) and Finland (4:0), and beating Ghana and the United States by the same 2:1 scoreline.
The generational change in the national team is complete: Kroos, Gundogan and Muller have retired. The 40-year-old veteran Manuel Neuer has made an unexpected return in goal — Nagelsmann handed him an emergency call-up because of a serious injury to ter Stegen, who had won the competition with Oliver Baumann. The core of the renewed Germany side is made up of young superstars: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) and Kai Havertz (Arsenal). The squad depth allows Germany to count on full rotation over the course of the tournament.
Key numbers for Germany:
Germany are only the seventh favourites with bookmakers to win the World Cup, at odds of 13.00.
At the two previous World Cups, they sensationally failed to get through the group stage after losing in the opening round.
They have a 100% winning record against teams from the CONCACAF zone in World Cup group stages in the 21st century.
Nick Woltemade, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz are 15th in the race to finish as top scorer, at odds of 50.00.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer — Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown — Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic — Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz — Kai Havertz.
Absentees: Lennart Karl is out due to injury, with Assan Ouedraogo (RB Leipzig) called up in his place.
Form and Line-up Curacao
Curacao pulled off a miracle in CONCACAF qualifying, scoring 28 goals in 10 matches and going through qualification without a single defeat. The main architect of this success was the legendary 78-year-old Dutch specialist Dick Advocaat, who is the oldest coach at the 2026 World Cup.
However, Curacao did not impress in friendlies — defeats to China (0:2), Australia (1:5) and Scotland (1:4). In those matches, the national team had more than 50% possession, but did not come close to deserving even a draw, creating 1.78 xG across three games. Only in their final warm-up did the team manage to win — 4:0 against modest Aruba.
The Curacao national team is made up 90% of Dutch footballers with Caribbean roots who have changed sporting nationality. The main stars are captain Leandro Bacuna (who plays in midfield with his brother Juninho), experienced goalkeeper Eloy Room, who conceded only five goals in qualifying, Sheffield United winger Tahith Chong and former Ajax player Jurgen Locadia.
Key numbers for Curacao:
They scored 28 goals and conceded only five in 10 qualifying-round matches, without losing once.
Curacao are among the top five least likely winners of the 2026 World Cup, with odds of 2000.00 to win it.
Curacao are priced at a huge 7.00 to get out of Group E.
The national team have lost seven of their last eight friendlies in a row, conceding 24 goals.
Probable line-up (3-5-2): Eloy Room — Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Riechedly Bazoer — Sherel Floranus, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Deveron Fonville — Tahith Chong, Jurgen Locadia.
Absentees: —.
Who will referee the match
Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2025 - 2026);
Average fouls per match – 29;
Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 3,8;
Matches with a straight red card – 1 out of 12;
Matches with a penalty – 4 out of 12.














