Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday he believes his side are at a disadvantage as World Cup group winners due to the shorter preparation time for the last-32 tie.
The four-time world champion is assured of a top spot going into his final Group E match against Ecuador on Thursday, but will only learn his opponent for the next round less than 48 hours before the match.
Germany, like seven other group winners, must wait until the end of the opening round late Saturday to find out which of the top eight third places awaits them in Foxborough next Monday.
“I think as a group leader we are being punished,” Nagelsmann told reporters in New Jersey.
“But when you look at all the algorithms and how everything plays together, it’s extremely complex – and the more teams you have, the more complex it becomes.”
Germany defeated Curacao 7-1 in its first match and then came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1, advancing past the group stage for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2014.
But the expanded 48-team format means it could face a wide range of opponents in the last 32.
«It’s not ideal that we won’t know until (late Saturday) who we will play against, but we are prepared, we have worked out the opponents that are most likely,» said the 38-year-old Nagelsmann.
“We are well prepared enough that we don’t have to prepare so hectically for the match on Sunday, because it will be our last training where we can actually change something.
“There’s a little bit of time pressure there… (but) we’re all still pretty young as coaches, and if we have to, we’ll work all night.”
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Ecuador are aiming to avoid an early exit after an impressive qualifying campaign raised hopes of a successful tournament.
The South Americans have just one point after a 0-0 draw with newcomer Curaçao and a 1-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in their opening match.
«We deserved a lot more. The way we fought makes us think we are on the right track. It’s just our finishing that was lacking,» Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said.
«This is the biggest challenge we face, the biggest opportunity. I’m not afraid of failure. If you give it your all, there’s no room for blame.»
“I am convinced we still have a chance.”
Published on June 25, 2026
