Group D sees European giants Germany joined by Ecuador from South America, Ivory Coast from Africa and first time qualifiers Curacao.
Germany –
Germany qualified in the end with a 6-0 home win over Slovakia after losing to them away earlier in the qualifiers and are now managed by Julian Nagglesmann.
Germany goalkeeper is Oliver Baumann. Manuel Neuer may come out of retirement.
The German defence includes Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and captained by the experienced Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich
In midfield Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz is joined in the wide positions by Serge Gnabry formerly of Arsenal and Leroy Sané formerly of Manchetser City,
The experienced Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich also featured recently against Switzerland.
The link between midfield and attack is filled by Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
The German attack is led by Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and former West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug who is now at AC Milan. Kai Havertz of Arsenal and Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav are other options in attack.
Ecuador –
Ecuador qualified from the South American group in second place behind Argentina on 29pts , just ahead of Colombia, Uruguay , Brazil and Paraguay all finishing on 28pts. This was despite beginning with a 3pts deduction from the 2022 qualifying campaign for fielding a player using false paperwork regarding his nationality. Ecuador only lost two games in qualifying 1-0 in Argentina and 1-0 in Brazil.
Since qualifying Ecuador have played a number of friendlies beating New Zealand 2-0 and drawing with USA , Mexico , Canada, Morocco and Holland.
Ecuador are managed by Argentinian Sebastián Beccacece
In goal will be 39yo Hernán Galíndez with back up from Gonzalo Valle.
The defence is led by Pervis Estupiñán of AC Milan and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié
Midfield includes their star player Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea alongside Alan Franco and possibly John Yeboah of Venezia.
The Ecuador attack is led by the experienced captain Enner Valencia, however at the age of 36 , and still Ecuador go to man for goals , they may struggle in this department.
Ivory Coast –
Ivory Coast qualified by winning African qualifying Group F winning 8 and drawing 2 of their 10 games.
They recently played two friendlies in England beating South Korea 4-0 and Scotland 1-0.
Ivory Coast manager is Emerse Faé
Yahia Fofana is their goalkeeper with back up Alban Lafont
The defence has Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta , Evan Ndicka of Roma and two players playing in Portugal , Ghislain Konan and Ousmane Diomande.
The midfield includes experienced captain formerly with AC Milan and Barcelona Franck Kessié alongside Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangaré.
Ivory Coast attack features former Arsenal striker Nicolas Pépé and Manchester Utd’s Amad Diallo with Evann Guessand of Crystal Palace.
Ivory Coast could include Guela Doue brother of France’s Desire Doue.
Curcao –
This is Curacao’s first appearance and were managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocat , who resigned in February 2026 but returned in May 2026.
Curacao qualified by winning Round Two Group C ahead of Haiti before winning Round Three Group B ahead of Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago as well as Bermuda, winning 3 and drawing 3 of their 6 games.
In March 2026 they played in FIFA series in Australia losing to China 2-0 and Australia 5-1
In goal will be Eloy Room.
The defence is led by Juriën Gaari with Roshon van Eijma and Sherel Floranus who play in Holland.
Midfield includes Leandro Bacuna, captain formerly of Aston Villa
Kenji Gorré of Maccabi Haifa is their main threat in attack alongside Brandley Kuwas of Volendam.
Group E Fixtures
14/6/26 6pm Germany v Curacao
15/6/26 0am Ivory Coast v Ecuador
20/6/26 9pm Germany v Ivory Coast
21/6/26 1am Ecuador v Curacao
25/6/26 9pm Germany v Ecuador
25/6/26 9pm Ivory Coast v Curacao
PREDICTIONS
I can see an emphatic win for Germany in their opening game, with a draw between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in a tight match
Germany will want to ensure qualification with a win over Ivory Coast , while Ecuador should be too strong for Curacao.
Germany may settle for a draw against Ecuador and top the group on 7pts, with Ecuador on 5 pts.
I can see Ivory Coast easily beating Curacao and ending in third place.
Curacao will lose all three games
1st Place prediction – Germany 7pts
2nd Place prediction – Ecuador 5pts
3rd Place prediction – Ivory Coast 4pts GD +2
Football is Academical 