Preview: Germany vs Curacao prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Oldest and youngest coaches of FIFA World Cup 2026 lock horns in Texas.

A seasoned host of iconic American sports spectacles, the Houston Stadium in Texas, USA, gears up to host the opening match week fixture in Group E of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring the most successful European team in World Cup history, Germany and debutants Curacao.

Despite winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014, it seemed that Germany were yet to get rid of the infamous Champions Curse after back-to-back group stage exits in the last two World Cups. They have failed to win any major international or continental trophy in the last few years.

However, looking at their recent form, where they won every single one of their last five games, their depth in the squad and Julian Nagelsmann leading the team, Germany are unarguably one of the darkhorse favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Nineties Germany 🇩🇪#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kUIaTZOiHw

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) August 25, 2025

They are placed in a relatively easy group and are the favourites to top Group E. After all, the last time they played a World Cup match in American soil in Brazil 2014, they went on to defeat Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup.

Curaçao is the smallest country by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a total population of approximately 156,000 residents. The Caribbean islands’ qualification story is nothing less than a fairytale story and their squad features many Dutch-based footballers with prior European experience.

They are led by Dick Advocaat, who has previously led teams like Sunderland, Iraq, Serbia and the Netherlands. The next game will be historic as Advocaat will become the oldest manager to manage a game in World Cup history.

As the youngest and the oldest coaches in FIFA World Cup 2026 all set to lock horns with each other, we expect this game to be a thrilling contest.

Kick-off:

• Location: Houston, Texas, USA
• Stadium: Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium)
• Date: Sunday, June 14
• Kick-off time: 6 p.m. BST [10:30 p.m. IST, Sunday, June 14 / 12 p.m. local CDT, Sunday, June 14]
• Referee: Jalal Jiyed (Morocco)
• VAR: In use

Form:

Germany (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Curacao (in all competitions): L-L-L-D-W

Players to Watch

Kai Havertz (Germany)

Havertz is known for being at the right place at the right time. The German striker has scored in two UCL Finals for two different sides. He is in red-hot form coming after winning the Premier League with the Gunners, and also went on to score against the USA in the friendlies.

The youngest player in German top-flight history to reach 100 league appearances during his Leverkusen days, Havertz has shown signs of greatness from a very young age.

Despite Germany’s terrible campaign in the last edition, Havertz impressed with his individual brilliance, scoring a brace against Costa Rica in the group stage.

Tahith Chong (Curacao)

Out of the 26 players selected for the Curacao World Cup squad, Tahith Chong is the only player who was actually born on the island in Willemstad. Chong spent his early days at Old Trafford and also won the Manchester United Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award for the 2017–18 season

After playing for Birmingham City, Club Brugge and Luton Town, he made a move to Sheffield United, where he had a decent season with the Blades.

Unlike traditional wingers, he grew up in the high-pressing environments of English football, where he tracks back aggressively, which is crucial for an underdog like Curacao.

Match Facts

• These two sides will lock horns against each other for the first time in history.
• Germany are the joint most successful European side in World Cup history.
• Germany got eliminated in the group stages in the last two World Cups.

Germany vs Curacao: Betting Tips and Odds

• Germany to win – 1/20 with Betfred
• Kai Havertz to score – 1/2 with Betfred
• Germany 4-0 Curacao – 6/1 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

Germany World Cup squad

Given the recent form of German players, it would be a tedious task for Nagelsmann to pick his best eleven ahead of their opener against Curacao. Their defence, featuring captain Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger and Raum, looks almost impregnable.

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Monaco)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, vice-captain), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, captain), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Denis Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)

Curacao World Cup squad

Curacao also do not have any injury concerns or suspension for the next game. Dick Advocaat will have a fully fit and available side to pick his best combination of players.

Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC)

Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon Van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Juriën Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam)

Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Iğdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zürich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham United), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk)

Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Kenji Gorré (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jürgen Locadia (Miami FC), Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren)

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Fixtures, Schedule, Results, Match Timings & Where to Watch

Head-to-Head

These two sides will lock horns against each other for the first time in history. This could be the first of many clashes between these two sides.

Predicted Lineups

Germany predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Manuel Neuer (GK); Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, David Raum; Aleksandar Pavlović, Leon Goretzka; Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz; Kai Havertz.

Curacao predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Eloy Room (GK); Joshua Brenet, Armando Obispo, Juriën Gaari, Sherel Floranus; Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna; Gervane Kastaneer, Tahith Chong, Kenji Gorré; Jearl Margaritha.

Match Prediction

After getting out in the group stages, Germany are now the clear favourites to top Group E. We expect them to kickstart their campaign with a big win over debutants Curacao. There is a massive difference in the quality and experience of both teams’ players, and the Germans are the favourites to win the game.

Prediction: Germany 4-0 Curacao

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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