Germany will be expected to start their World Cup campaign with a routine win over Curacao in Houston.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side are the favourites to win Group E that also contains the Ivory Coast and Ecuador and will be looking to lay down a marker with a strong opening performance.
Four-time winners Germany have not qualified for the knockout stages since 2014.
Curacao’s qualification for the finals is one of the great fairytale stories of this year’s tournament. History-makers even before a ball has been kicked, they will make their World Cup bow as the smallest nation ever – by both population and land area – to have reached the finals.
But they will feel as though their presence should be taken as more than just a feel-good story. Unbeaten throughout qualifying and helmed by experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, Curacao will be hoping to cause a shock this summer.
Where to watch Germany v Curacao
Germany versus Curacao kicks off tonight at 6pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV 1 or stream via ITVX.
Click HERE for a full World Cup TV guide
Stats for Germany v Curacao
- Germany have won the World Cup four times, the joint-most for a European nation alongside Italy. Overall, only Brazil have lifted the trophy on more occasions (5).
- Germany will make their 21st World Cup appearance, more than any other European nation and second only to Brazil (23) overall. Since last missing the tournament in 1950, Germany have advanced beyond the first round on 16 of the last 18 occasions, though have failed to reach the knockout stages in both 2018 and 2022.
- Despite being eliminated after the group stage at the last World Cup, Germany ranked fourth in expected goals over the whole tournament (10.1). Their 3.4 xG per 90 minutes were the highest of any nation, ahead of Brazil (2.20) and eventual champions Argentina (2.15).
- Curaçao reached the World Cup finals for the very first time – they are the smallest nation by both area and population to ever reach the finals of the tournament.
- Curaçao are the first CONCACAF debutants at the World Cup since Panama in 2018, while they are looking to become the first side from that confederation to progress from the group stage in their debut since Costa Rica in 1990 (round of 16).
- As well as scoring the most goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying (28), Curaçao also led the way for expected goals (22.7), while their four goals from high turnovers was only bettered by Costa Rica (6).
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