We're full steam ahead towards the World Cup, and our previews aren't slowing down!
Up next in our preview series is Group E, where Germany look the clear favorites to advance, but Ecuador could emerge as a sneaky pick to make a run in the knockout rounds. Can Curaçao make waves in their first-ever tournament? Or will the Ivory Coast finally live up to their potential? Questions abound.
You can catch up on all the other groups here:
Ben Wright
TEAMS: United States 🇺🇸 | Paraguay 🇵🇾 | Australia 🇦🇺 | Türkiye 🇹🇷
Germany 🇩🇪
FIFA World Ranking: 10
Germany have been successful in reaching the World Cup every time they have attempted qualification, and 2026 was no different.
Former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann took charge in September 2023 and led the Germans to the Quarterfinal of Euro 2024. He's known for his versatility, focusing on controlling games with possession and counterpressing when losing the ball.
Though they may not be the favorites, they're rarely far from that tier. As always, the Germans have a star-studded squad with the likes of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Antonio Rüdiger shoring up the squad.
How they qualified: Though they opened their campaign with an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Slovakia, they went on a five-game winning streak and topped their group with a +13 goal difference.
Best-ever finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
Key player: 26-year-old Arsenal forward Kai Havertz plays a major role with the German team, fulfilling multiple positions. He is returning from injury but has featured somewhat regularly for his club and will be looking to leave his mark during the World Cup. Havertz is a versatile and dynamic player who works off the ball as much as he does on it, something his managers always seem to appreciate. He also has a knack for scoring in big moments, like his two goals in two separate Champions League finals.
X-factor: Bayern Münich product Lennart Karl has burst onto the scene with his club, playing and contributing regularly. The 18-year-old winger may not be a starter with the national team yet, but he is one of the most exciting prospects in world soccer.
What’s their ceiling? Any time Germany are in a tournament, they are expected to win it. That said, this group doesn’t seem as strong as the truly elite squads in 2026. Germany will be devastating to play against considering Nagelsmann’s style, but they might fall short in quality when compared to the likes of Spain and France.
Odds to win World Cup: +1400
Projection: Anything lower than a Quarterfinal would be a borderline disaster for the Germans.
Fun fact: Certain sections of the famous German Autobahn highway have no official speed limit.
Sign up for in-depth coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
Curaçao 🇨🇼
FIFA World Ranking: 83
Curaçao, a small Caribbean island with a population smaller than Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will be looking to shock the world during the game’s biggest tournament.
Curaçao are one of four debutants in the 2026 World Cup, mostly thanks to their connection with the Netherlands. As a constituent island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao has many families of Curaçaoan origin who have moved to the mainland. As a result, most of their players were born and developed overseas in one of the best soccer-producing countries.
It’s not just the players who hail from the Netherlands; legendary Dutch coach Dick Advocaat took charge in January 2024, following fellow Dutch coaches like Patrick Kluivert and Guus Hiddink. Advocaat stepped down for family reasons, but returned in May 2026 to lead the team during the World Cup. The 78-year-old has had 28 coaching stints across 12 different countries.
How they qualified: The Blue Wave finished top of their group in both qualifying rounds, but it was not easy. It all came down to the last match day, when Curaçao traveled to Jamaica and needed at least a point to qualify. With the game tied 0-0 into the 90th minute, Jamaica were awarded a penalty that would have sent them to the World Cup and dashed Curaçao's dream. However, the injury-time penalty was overturned after a video assistant referee review.
This is what it looks like when you become the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup 🇨🇼
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 19, 2025
Curacao, population roughly 150,000 people, will be mixing it with giants the at the big dance next summer. There's nothing quite like international football💙pic.twitter.com/Tp1ipBAO86
Best-ever finish: Debut
Key player: 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room has the joint-most appearances for the country and is still the starter. Chances are, Curaçao will be under immense pressure, and Room will need to step up big in all three games.
X-factor: Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong is a creative winger who’s one of the best players in the current squad. He played in the youth ranks of Feyenoord and Manchester United before landing in the English Championship.
What’s their ceiling? Any result for Curaçao would be absolutely immense and would forever be etched in World Cup history. That said, they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Odds to win World Cup: +250000
Projection: It’s almost a certainty that Curaçao will lose all three games.
Fun fact: Most residents natively speak Papiamento (a unique blend of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English), alongside Dutch, English, and Spanish.
Play in our 2026 World Cup fantasy league on the new Fantasy Utd app!
Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮
FIFA World Ranking: 34
The Elephants are back on the world stage after missing the last two World Cups. With the 2023 AFCON trophy and a flawless qualifying campaign, the Ivory Coast will be aiming to advance into the knockout round for the first time in their history.
Head coach Emerse Faé was appointed midway through the 2023 AFCON after poor results, and he delivered the trophy on home soil. The former national team player has brought life back into the team, and his results have been largely positive. Under Faé, the Ivorians enjoy possession and play an expansive style without compromising defensive efforts.
How they qualified: Narrowly topped their group by one point, but were undefeated throughout the qualifiers and did not concede a single goal
Best-ever finish: Group stage (2006, 2010, 2014)
Key player: Former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessié is the national team's captain and has played a huge role since his debut. He ranks fifth in all-time caps for the Elephants, only two matches away from Ivorian and African legend Didier Drogba. Kessié is a talented midfielder who excels on both sides of the ball and can cover a lot of ground.
X-factor: Yan Diomande burst onto the scene with RB Leipzig, and he is already being linked to the biggest clubs in the world. The 19-year-old had an interesting career that saw him play high school soccer in the United States and with UPSL AS Frenzi in Lake Mary, Florida, before signing for Spanish side Leganés and subsequently being sold to RB Leipzig for €20 million. Diomande is a tricky winger with the necessary speed and an eye for goal.
What’s their ceiling? Results have been mostly positive for the Ivory Coast, and they’ll be looking to continue that into the World Cup. The stability they have with the manager and the squad gives them an advantage over other teams.
Odds to win World Cup: +25000
Projection: The Elephants are expected to reach the knockout rounds, but any result past that would be historic.
Fun fact: The country has two capital cities: Yamoussoukro and Abidjan.
Ecuador 🇪🇨
FIFA World Ranking: 24
Ecuador had the second-youngest squad going into the 2022 World Cup, and while the results might’ve been a bit disappointing, that experience was invaluable.
Sebastián Beccacece took charge in late 2024 and has turned Ecuador into an elite team in the region. They finished second in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, only bested by the current champions, Argentina.
Beccacece’s style relies on high energy and focuses on team play and technical discipline. The roster has a good mix of players from top European teams and top South American clubs, and they have all the makings of a team that can surprise this summer.
How they qualified: Second in the CONMBOL qualifiers
Best-ever finish: Round of 16 (2006)
Key player: Moisés Caicedo is one of the most expensive soccer players in history, having cost his current club, Chelsea, £100 million. The central midfielder is the main pillar of everything Ecuador do with and without the ball. He is known for being active throughout the match and usually plays more of a box-to-box role with the national team.
X-factor: Kendry Páez is an exciting attacking player who can play out wide or through the middle. The 19-year-old is currently on loan with River Plate from Chelsea, and he already has 25 caps for the national team.
What’s their ceiling? La Tri have the right core of players who have played together for a long time. They also have a dedicated coach who clearly brings out the best in them. A deep run shouldn’t be shocking to anyone.
Odds to win World Cup: +8000
Projection: Ecuador should advance from the group stage and will be expected to win at least one knockout game.
Fun fact: Because the Earth bulges at its center, Ecuador's Mount Chimborazo is technically the closest point on the planet to space.
Group E Wrap
Predicted final standings
| Pos | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇩🇪 Germany | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 2 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 3 | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | Best-third-place contender |
| 4 | 🇨🇼 Curaçao | Eliminated |
The match that decides it: Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador
Best third-place watch: The winner of the match above will likely decide who advances as the second team, but one of Côte d'Ivoire or Ecuador will advance as the best third-place team.
