GER vs CIV preview, FIFA World Cup 2026 – Germany and Ivory Coast aim to seal spot in round of 32

Both Germany and Ivory Coast could close Group E with a game to spare if they win Saturday’s match in Toronto.

While victory in itself cannot guarantee the group title, it would at worst advance the winner one point. ‌The right result in the other group match between Ecuador and Curaçao later Saturday could seal first place.

Germany easily entered the tournament on Sunday with a 7-1 victory over debutante Curaçao.

Kai Havertz scored his third and fourth World Cup goals and five teammates also found the net for the four-time world champion.

After uncharacteristically failing to reach the knockout stages in 2018 and 2022, another positive result would all but guarantee the Germans a return to the knockout stages.

For German central defender Jonathan Tah it is also a chance to play against his father’s native country for the first time.

“This will be something special, that’s true, to play against the Ivory Coast team,” Tah said. “Of course I’m excited about this opportunity, and it will certainly be more extraordinary than against any other team.”

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Ivory Coast should provide a much more formidable test for Germany after an impressive 1-0 win over Ecuador in Les Elephants’ first World Cup match since 2014.

19-year-old Yan Diomande was exceptional on both flanks in a Man of the Match performance, while substitute Amad Diallo scored a clinical winner in the 90th minute.

Manager Emerse Fae is embracing the rising expectations for his side, the youngest of the 48 at this tournament.

«We don’t come to see the Germans play. We come to beat them, we come to get that qualification for the second round,» Fae said. “But above all, we want to go home tomorrow after the match, to our base camp in Philadelphia, not only with our six points, but also with the certainty that we will finish at the top of the pack.”

In the event of a draw, the question of group leadership would advance to the final match on June 25, when Ivory Coast takes on Curacao in Philadelphia and Germany plays Ecuador in East Rutherford, NJ.

Published on June 20, 2026