Germany vs Curaçao — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 1
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Germany begin a tournament determined to atone for back-to-back group-stage exits, and they could hardly ask for a softer landing than World Cup debutants Curacao. Julian Nagelsmann's side is rebuilt around the generational midfield axis of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, with Joshua Kimmich the leader behind them.
This is an exercise in patience and ruthlessness. Germany will see the vast majority of the ball against Dick Advocaat's compact Curacao, and the storyline is less about whether they win than how convincingly they break down a deep, organised block of largely Dutch-based players.
Curacao's romance is real — the smallest nation ever to reach a men's World Cup — but the gulf in quality is vast. Expect Germany to control from the first whistle and Curacao to defend in numbers and savour the occasion.
Key storylines
- 01Redemption mission: Germany seek to bury the memory of two straight group exits.
- 02Musiala and Wirtz: one of the most exciting creative pairings at the tournament.
- 03Curacao's fairytale: the smallest nation ever to qualify for a men's World Cup.
- 04Joshua Kimmich leads a German side rebuilt under Nagelsmann.
- 05A test of patience: how quickly can Germany crack a deep, organised block?
Prediction
A comfortable opening statement from Germany. Friendly call: Germany 4-0 Curacao.
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Germany
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK)
- 2Joshua Kimmich
- 3Jonathan Tah
- 4Antonio Rüdiger
- 5David Raum
- 6Aleksandar Pavlovic
- 7Leon Goretzka
- 8Florian Wirtz
- 9Jamal Musiala
- 10Leroy Sane
- 11Kai Havertz
Curaçao
Formation 5-4-1- 1Eloy Room (GK)
- 2Shurandy Sambo
- 3Cuco Martina
- 4Armando Obispo
- 5Juninho Bacuna
- 6Jeremy Antonisse
- 7Leandro Bacuna
- 8Roshon van Eijma
- 9Kenji Gorre
- 10Tahith Chong
- 11Jurgen Locadia
Team news
Germany
- Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz form the creative engine of the side.
- Joshua Kimmich is the captain and organiser at the base of the team.
- Kai Havertz leads the line in a flexible Nagelsmann front line.
Curaçao
- Curacao draw heavily on experienced players from the Dutch leagues.
- Dick Advocaat brings decades of management experience to the dugout.
- Their game plan will be deep, disciplined defending and damage limitation.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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