Four-time winners Germany begin their 2026 World Cup campaign in a quintessential David versus Goliath encounter with tournament history-makers Curacao in Houston. On paper, Die Mannschaft are clear favourites to take all three points against the smallest nation ever to qualify for footballs showpiece event. However, the Germans will be acutely 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 mix of experience and talent can banish their recent disappointment on the grandest stage to the annals of history. But taking on Caracao, a tiny island in the south Caribbean with a population smaller than that of many UK cities and towns, may prove far from a foregone conclusion. Led by vastly-experienced Dutch boss Dick Advocaat who at 78 becomes the oldest manager in World Cup history many of the Curacao squad were born in the Netherlands, a traditional rival of the Germans, giving the occasion some added spice. Table of ContentsGermany team newsCuracao team newsWhere to watch Germany v CuracaoStats for Germany v CuracaoGermany team news Germany XI: Neuer, Brown, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Sane, Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz. Curacao team newsCuracao XI: Room, Floranus, Obispo, Bazoer, Fonville, Comenencia, J. Bacuna, Hansen, Chong, L. Bacuna, Locadia.Where to watch Germany v CuracaoGermany versus Curacao kicks off at 6pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV 1 or stream via ITVX.ClickHEREfor a full World Cup TV guideStats for Germany v CuracaoGermany have won the World Cup four times, the joint-most for a European nation alongside Italy. Overall, only Brazil have lifted the trophy on more occasions (5).Germany will make their 21st World Cup appearance, more than any other European nation and second only to Brazil (23) overall. Since last missing the tournament in 1950, Germany have advanced beyond the first round on 16 of the last 18 occasions, though have failed to reach the knockout stages in both 2018 and 2022.Despite being eliminated after the group stage at the last World Cup, Germany ranked fourth in expected goals over the whole tournament (10.1). Their 3.4 xG per 90 minutes were the highest of any nation, ahead of Brazil (2.20) and eventual champions Argentina (2.15).Curaao reached the World Cup finals for the very first time they are the smallest nation by both area and population to ever reach the finals of the tournament.Curaao are the first CONCACAF debutants at the World Cup since Panama in 2018, while they are looking to become the first side from that confederation to progress from the group stage in their debut since Costa Rica in 1990 (round of 16).As well as scoring the most goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying (28), Curaao also led the way for expected goals (22.7), while their four goals from high turnovers was only bettered by Costa Rica (6). Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Curacao National Football Team Germany National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Saudi Arabia v Uruguay: Line-ups, stats and preview as Bielsas men aim to avoid upset Nicholas McGee 14th June, 2026 Four years on, can Lionel Messi drag Argentina to another World Cup title? Mitch Fretton 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 Scotland 1-0 Haiti: World Cup 2026 report, result, goals as McGinn strike and Gannon-Doak belief help Tartan Army earn first win at finals since 1990 Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 Scotland vs Haiti live: World Cup 2026 joy for Tartan Army as McGinn scores goal a nation has craved Ben Miller 14th June, 2026
