Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterGermany have made their World Cup start against Curacao, and opened their campaign strongly with the help of two former England youth internationals.Curacao went into this game looking to make a strong first impression, as their maiden World Cup adventure, but may have hoped for an easier start to the tournament than four-time winners, Germany.The newcomers looked to start energetically, particularly through key man, former Manchester United academy star Tahith Chong, but the gulf in quality was apparent in the early moments.Germany race out of the World Cup blocks with two former England menJulian Nagelsmann named a mix of well-experienced internationals and young talent, including the likes of Liverpool man Florian Wirtz, 22-year-old full-back Nathaniel Brown and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala.But two of the most influential names in that starting XI could have been turning out for England this summer, if things had been different. You may like Germany vs Curacao prediction, as the four-time World Cup winners take on a tournament debutant Germany squad World Cup 2026: The team to face Curacao How to watch Germany vs Curacao for FREE Die Mannschafts took the lead in the sixth minute through the curling effort of Felix Nmecha, but it was actually the third strong scoring opportunity Nagelsmanns side had, with the goalscorer almost notching a second moments later.The Borussia Dortmund man formally of Manchester City and brother of Leeds United star Lukas seemed to be everywhere in the first 10 minutes in his ninth cap for the nation, later winning the penalty for Germany's third, but until Under-19 level, he actually turned out for the Three Lions.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.And hes not alone in the squad, with Musiala also famously rising through the ranks at St Georges Park alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer: he got his chance to net the fourth for Germany.Given hes taken the mantle of no.10 for Germany, aged just 23, having represented England as late as the Under-21s, is a bitter pill to swallow for the Three Lions.However, given both were born in Germany rather than England, and play their domestic football in the Bundesliga, it perhaps makes sense that they felt closer ties to Die Mannschaft.Lift off for Germany in Houston Felix Nmecha with a quality finish! pic.twitter.com/UvtQoAWWxuJune 14, 2026Curacao made history later in the game, scoring their first-ever World Cup goal, levelling the game at 1-1 through FC Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia in the 20th minute, before Nico Schlotterbeck nodded in from a corner to restore Germanys lead.The game got Group E underway, with their other two competitors Ivory Coast and Ecuador facing off a few hours later.Thomas Tuchel and the rest of his England camp may have been watching what could have been two of their team-mates in another timeline, with the Three Lions set to get their tournament started against Croatia in a 9pm BST kick-off on Wednesday 17 June.TOPICSWorld Cup 2026Isaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
