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Four-time winners Germany start theirs World Cup 2026 campaign in the typical David vs. Goliath encounter with tournament history makers Curaçao in Houston.
On paper, Die Mannschaft are clear favorites to take all three points against the smallest nation ever to qualify for football’s landmark event.
However, the Germans will be aware that their last two World Cup campaigns have ended in spectacular failure, with the seemingly perennial powerhouses crashing out in the group stage after losing their opening game on both occasions.
Julian Nagelsmann will be hoping his side – one brimming with a mixture of experience and talent – can shake off their recent disappointment on the biggest stage in the annals of history.
But the takeover of Caracao, a small island in the southern Caribbean with a population smaller than that of many UK cities, may turn out to be far from a foregone conclusion.
Led by richly experienced Dutch boss Dick Advokaat – who, at 78, is the oldest manager in World Cup history – many of the Curaçao squad were born in the Netherlands, a traditional rival of the Germans, adding extra spice to the occasion.
Germany team news
Germany XI: Neuer, Braun, Tach, Schlotterbeck, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Sane, Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz.
Curacao team news
Curacao XI: Room, Floranus, Bishop, Bazouer, Fonville, Comenencia, J. Bacuna, Hansen, Chong, L. Bacuna, Locadia.
Where to watch Germany vs Curacao
Germany v Curacao kicks off at 6pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV 1 or stream via ITVX.
Click HERE for a complete World Cup TV guide
Statistics for Germany vs Curacao
- Germany has won the World Cup four times, the most total by a European nation along with Italy. Overall, only Brazil has lifted the trophy on more occasions (5).
- Germany will be making their 21st World Cup appearance, more than any other European nation and second only to Brazil (23) in total. Since last missing out on the tournament in 1950, Germany have progressed beyond the first round on 16 of the last 18 occasions, although they failed to reach the knockout stages in 2018 and 2022.
- Despite being eliminated after the group stage at the last World Cup, Germany ranked fourth in expected goals for the entire tournament (10.1). Their 3.4 xG per 90 minutes was the highest of any nation, ahead of Brazil (2.20) and eventual champions Argentina (2.15).
- Curaçao reached the finals of the World Cup for the first time – they are the smallest nation in both area and population to ever reach the finals of the tournament.
- Curaçao are the first CONCACAF World Cup debutants since Panama in 2018 as they aim to become the first team from the confederation to advance from the group stage on their debut since Costa Rica in 1990 (round of 16).
- As well as scoring the most goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying (28), Curacao also led the way in expected goals (22.7), while their four goals from big turnovers were bettered only by Costa Rica (6).
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