Four more World Cup 2026 matches are next on the cards in what promises to be an action packed day 4, featuring Germany and the Netherlands.
Germany get day 4 underway against debutants Curacao in the first 6pm kick-off of the World Cup on Sunday night (BST). You’ll want to stay on your sofa for the subsequent game between Netherlands and Japan at 9pm, which is followed by the midnight clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Then, three hours later in the early hours of 3am we round off proceedings with Sweden against Ecuador.
Stats you might see on day 4
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Germany vs Curacao stats
- Germany snapshot stat: Germany could make it 10 straight wins in all competitions with victory here, which would be their longest winning streak since a run of 12 between 1979 and 1980.
- Curacao snapshot stat: Dick Advocaat will set a new record as the oldest manager, 78, to ever take charge of a World Cup match.
Only Brazil (5), have lifted the World Cup more times than Germany who have been crowned world champions four times, most recently in 2014. Yet their recent performances have been shocking by their high-standards, having fallen in the group stages in each of the last two editions.
Germany aren’t considered one of the concrete favourites but you’d still be a fool to write them off. A win over newcomers Curacao would extend their winning run to 10 matches in all competitions, which would be their best run since a 12-game streak they put together between 1979 and 1980.
Curacao are a huge 55/1 to stun the Germans and 22/1 just to carve out a draw, and 13/5 to score exactly one goal. If any of those three happen it will obviously be a World Cup first for the country of 160,000 people: the smallest nation to ever qualify. Yet, history will definitely be made at Houston’s NRG Stadium as Curacao’s returning boss Dick Advocaat will set a new record as the oldest manager, 78, to ever take charge of a World Cup match. That’s a whopping 40 years older than Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann.
Netherlands vs Japan stats
- Netherlands snapshot stat: Netherlands are looking to extend their impressive run of 16 straight unbeaten group stage games, which is the longest current active streak.
- Japan snapshot stat: Japan will be bidding to become the first country to beat Netherlands in a World Cup opening game since Czechoslovakia in 1938.
Could this be the year that three-time finalists Netherlands finally get their hands on the trophy? They are outside the main cluster of favourites at 20/1 to do so. After missing the 2018 edition completely, Oranje finished in the quarter-finals four years ago where they were edged out on penalties by eventual winners Argentina.
However, what the Netherlands can draw on is an extremely impressive record in the group stages, where they’ve gone unbeaten in 16 matches dating back to 1994 in America. On top of that, they’ve not lost any of their last nine opening games at the tournament, stretching back to 1938. They will look to all-time scorer Memphis Depay (52 goals) to make an impact after he accumulated eight goals and four assists in qualifying.
Japan are appearing in their eight straight World Cup and will harbour hopes of surpassing the last-16 for the first time. The Samurai Blue stunned Germany and Spain en route to topping their group four years ago, before losing on penalties to Croatia in the last-16. Hajime Moriyasu’s side are simply not to be sniffed at as they head into the tournament on a six game winning streak, which includes friendly victories over England and Brazil.
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador stats
- Ivory Coast snapshot stat: Ivory Coast are bidding to win their fifth match on the spin, which includes a victory over France.
- Ecuador snapshot stat: If Ecuador avoid defeat they will stretch their unbeaten run to 20 matches dating back to 2024.
Ivory Coast have already stunned France in a friendly this month, now The Elephants return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 looking to make it through the group stages for the first time in their history. They are currently on a four game winning run and will now be seeking to win their second successive opening World Cup match.
Ecuador were the surprise package of the CONMEBOL qualifiers where they finished second behind Argentina. They were beaten only two times in 18 matches and conceded just five goals. Now they are enjoying a 19 game unbeaten run. A remarkable statistic. In fact, don’t expect too many goals at either end when it comes to Ecuador games, with 18 of their last 22 matches going under 2.5 goals.
Sweden vs Tunisia stats
- Sweden snapshot stat: Victor Gyokeres heads into the game with five goals from his last three games for Sweden.
- Tunisia snapshot stat: Tunisia are looking for their first victory against a European country since stunning France 1-0 at the 2022 World Cup.
Sweden are perhaps fortunate to be involved in the World Cup given they finished bottom of their qualification group, only to benefit from their Nations League ranking to squeeze through via the play-offs.
The last time Sweden appeared at a World Cup in 2018, current manager Graham Potter was preparing to leave Ostersund for Swansea City. Fast forward eight years and the Englishman now finds himself leading the country on the biggest stage, hoping to build on their play-off success and guide Sweden into the knockout rounds from Group F.
Potter has two quality strikers at his disposal in Alexander Isak and Victor Gyokeres, the latter of whom has scored five goals in his last three games.
Tunisia qualified for their seventh World Cup without even conceding a goal. Their next task will be progressing through to the knockout stages for the first time in their history, although they are the outsiders according to the group odds.
The Eagles of Carthage have lost each of their last three games against European countries, including a 5-0 defeat to Belgium earlier this month, but did memorably stun France in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.
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