Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the World Cup qualifying match.
Slovakia and Germany both featured at the UEFA European Championship 2024, but it is far from certain that we will see both at the World Cup, because Europe does not offer many spots to mid-tier sides.
Slovakia
Naturally, most neutral fans do not expect to see Slovakia at the 2026 World Cup. They have qualified for the World Cup only once, back in 2010 in South Africa. Slovakia also started appearing at the UEFA European Championship only after the tournament expanded to 24 teams. In this year’s UEFA Nations League, the team went through play-offs with Slovenia, conceding only one goal across the two legs (0:0 and 0:1). The early-summer friendlies did not inspire confidence either: a heavy defeat to Greece (1:4) and a loss to Israel (0:1).
Germany
Germany have different priorities. The aim is to reach the final of a major tournament. Not long ago, the country endured elimination at the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann arrived and managed to restore winning habits. They suffered a painful elimination to Spain in the UEFA European Championship 2024 quarter-finals on home soil, not without a refereeing error. In the UEFA Nations League 2024/25, Germany finished fourth. In this qualifying campaign, the Germans are only getting started and, undoubtedly, the squad ought to win the group, where Slovakia look like the only serious rival.
Slovakia vs Germany Prediction
Germany appear intent on clearing a competitor out of the way early so there is no talk of top spot. We are backing the visitors on the -1 handicap.
