Germany opens 2026 World Cup campaign against Curaçao in Houston

Germany plays its first match of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, June 14 against Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston (kick-off at 7 p.m.), in Group E. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed will oversee the match.

Julian Nagelsmann fields a 4-2-3-1 formation with Manuel Neuer in goal. The central defensive pairing consists of Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah, while Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović form the double pivot. In attack, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané support Kai Havertz, the sole striker.

Curaçao also lines up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Eloy Room is in goal, protected by a defense featuring Darryl Fonville. Rangelo Janga is not in the starting eleven — it is Juninho Bacuna and Leandro Bacuna who animate the midfield. Tyronne Ebuehi Chong is deployed in attack alongside Jürgen Locadia.

For Germany, this World Cup represents an opportunity to return to the world summit after a decade of disappointments: eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and in the quarter-finals in 2022, the Mannschaft approaches this competition with a rejuvenated and ambitious squad, led by the new generation Wirtz-Musiala.

Curaçao, for its part, participates in one of its first major world finals and will attempt to cause an upset against one of the tournament favorites.