World Cup 2026: Germany open Group E against Curaçao with Musiala and Wirtz

Four-time world champions, the German national team arrive under Julian Nagelsmann after finishing top of their European qualifying group with five wins in six matches. Curaçao, led by Dick Advocaat, are playing the first World Cup match in their history after winning their Concacaf qualifying group ahead of Jamaica.

Both coaches start with a 4-2-3-1. For Germany, Manuel Neuer starts in goal, with Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown in defence. Aleksandar Pavlović and Felix Nmecha form the double pivot behind Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz.

Curaçao also set up in a 4-2-3-1, with Eloy Room in goal and a defensive line made up of Sherel Constancio Floranus, Riechedly Bazoer, Armando Obispo and Deveron Fonville. Livano Comenencia and Leandro Bacuna are selected in midfield, while Sontje Hansen, Tahith Chong, Juninho Bacuna and Jürgen Locadia lead the attacking unit.

The match pits a Germany side expected to control possession against a Curaçao team whose immediate challenge will be to stay compact in a high-level encounter. The symmetry of the systems puts the midfield duel at the heart of the first tactical battle, with Pavlović and Nmecha up against Comenencia and Leandro Bacuna.

Focus on Germany

Julian Nagelsmann hands the keys to the attacking play to a highly creative trio. Sané occupies one flank, Musiala operates centrally and Wirtz completes the support line behind Havertz, the lone centre-forward. That choice gives Germany several players capable of receiving between the lines and accelerating near the box.

Neuer’s presence provides a major point of support behind a defence where Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck and Brown will need to secure transitions. In midfield, Pavlović and Nmecha have an important role in maintaining balance, from the first pass out to protecting the centre-back pairing.

Germany approach this opening fixture with the weight of a national team accustomed to major tournaments. Their European qualification campaign, completed with top spot in their group, has reinforced the idea of a team expected to perform from the moment they enter the competition. The bench also offers several options, including Leon Goretzka, Pascal Groß, Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade and Maximilian Beier.

Focus on Curaçao

Dick Advocaat relies on a starting XI in which several senior figures occupy key structural roles. Room guards the goal, Bazoer and Obispo form the defensive axis, Leandro Bacuna organises the midfield and Locadia starts up front. Chong and Juninho Bacuna will be expected to provide forward runs around the striker.

Curaçao’s qualification already represents a major milestone for this national team, who are discovering the World Cup after topping their Concacaf qualifying group. The Houston fixture offers an immediate test against one of the most decorated nations in world football.

Against Germany, Curaçao will have to limit the spaces around Musiala and Wirtz while looking to use the pace of Hansen and Chong in their build-up phases. The ability of Comenencia and Leandro Bacuna to hold midfield will weigh on the resistance of Advocaat’s team in this first Group E match.