Germany get their 2026 World Cup campaign underway when they face Curacao on Sunday at 6pm (UK time).
Germany have had a poor record at the World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014. Die Mannschaft have been knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages in each of the past two tournaments, winning only two of their six games. So they’ll be looking to avoid another humiating tournament this summer.
Curacao are World Cup debutants, benefitting from the absence of the three host nations from Concacaf qualifying. They were part of the Gold Cup last summer, though, bowing out of the group stage without a win.
Unsurprisingly, this will be the first meeting between these two nations.
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Germany vs Curacao team news
Germany team news
Julian Nagelsmann suffered a blow during Germany’s World Cup preparations, with Lennart Karl suffering an injury that has ruled him out of the tournament. Assan Ouedraogo was drafted in to replace Karl, but is unlikely to trouble the starting XI. Germany’s starting XI looks pretty settled ahead of the World Cup, as shown by their pre-tournament friendlies.
Oliver Baumann has taken the first-choice goalkeeping spot, ahead of Jonas Urbig and Alexander Nubel. The back four picks themselves too, with Joshua Kimmich captaining from right-back. He’ll be joined by Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown — the latter taking the left-back role ahead of David Raum. Antonio Rudiger will provide centre-back experience from the bench. With Kimmich at right-back, Aleksandar Pavlovic will start in the double pivot, alongside Felix Nmecha.
Kai Havertz looks set to lead the line, replacing Denis Undav following his late arrival after the Champions League final. Leroy Sane has taken Karl’s spot on the right wing, with Florian Wirtz on the left. Jamal Musiala will play through the middle as the No.10
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Curacao team news
Curacao may be tempted to go with a more defensive formation against Germany. But they favour a 4-3-3, and may be better there. They lost 4-1 in a friendly to Scotland at the end of May, despite using a back five. The big news is that Jurgen Locadia will be available to lead the line for Curacao, after his sending off — with suspension only counting for friendly matches.
Tahith Chong looks likely to join Locadia in the attack, from the right-wing, with Kenji Gorre a potential to start on the left. With Gorre on the wing, Juninho Bacuna will drop into the midfield in a more central role. He’ll be one of the No.8s alongside Livano Comenencia with his brother and captain, Leandro Bacuna, playing in the deepest midfield role.
Trevor Doornbusch started in goal for the final pre-World Cup friendly, but Eloy Room looks set to be Dick Advocaat’s first-choice goalkeeper. Jurien Gaari is also a guaranteed starter at centre-back, with Roshon van Eijma likely to partner him. Joshua Brenet and Sherel Floranus are favourites to start at right-back and left-back, respectively.
Germany vs Curacao predicted lineups
Germany (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz.
Curacao (4-3-3): Room; Brenet, Gaari, van Eijma, Floranus; Comenencia, L Bacuna, J Bacuna; Chong, Locadia, Gorre.
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