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.
