IT’S ALMOST TIME!
The 2026 World Cup will kick off next Thursday (11).
After the details on Groups A and B and C and D, it’s now time for two more: E and F.
Which include Germany and the Netherlands, for example.
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The top two teams in each group will advance to the pre-Round of 16 along with the eight best third-placed teams.
See below how the teams in those groups are shaping up and have your say: who should qualify?
🏆 Group E
Match Schedule 📅
June 14 – 2pm – Germany vs Curaçao
June 14 – 8pm – Ivory Coast vs Ecuador
June 20 – 5pm – Germany vs Ivory Coast
June 20 – 9pm – Ecuador vs Curaçao
June 25 – 5pm – Germany vs Ecuador and Curaçao vs Ivory Coast
Four-time champions, four-time runners-up, and absent only from the 1930 and 1950 editions, Germany have one of the biggest missions among the traditional powerhouses: avoid another embarrassment.
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After a run of runner-up finishes, two third-place finishes, and the title in 2014, Die Nationalelf suffered group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
The qualifying campaign began with the shock of a defeat to Slovakia, but a direct qualification spot was ultimately secured.
Julian Nagelsmann — in charge since September 2023 — was able to count once again on Neuer, who had retired from the national team.
Musiala was tipped to be one of the World Cup’s standout names, but is still working his way back to top form after a serious injury.
The final squad was updated this Friday with Karl’s injury.
📸 Alexander Hassenstein – 2026 Getty Images
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Havertz, Undav and Woltemade will battle for the role of main goalscorer during the World Cup.
One of the debutants, Curaçao stirred the coaching carousel by announcing the return of veteran Dick Advocaat, 78, the man responsible for leading the Caribbean side to the World Cup.
In a qualifying campaign without Mexico, the USA and Canada, Curaçao came through two stages unbeaten to qualify directly — sending Jamaica to the playoffs.
Midfielder Leandro Bacuna, who had notable spells at Aston Villa and Cardiff, is one of the team’s reference points. He will be joined by his brother Juninho.
📸 Tim Warner – 2025 Getty Images
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Ecuador, coached by Sebastián Beccacece, finished behind only Argentina in qualifying.
Securing their fifth World Cup appearance.
The campaign featured only two defeats and an incredible five goals conceded across 18 matches.
They conceded one in each of the first three rounds and after that were breached only in the seventh (Brazil) and 13th (Venezuela).
The big target is seen as realistic: at least matching the Round of 16 run from 2006.
Champions League finalist center-back duo Pacho and Hincapié are among their biggest strengths.
📸 Gabriel Aponte – 2024 Getty Images
Moisés Caicedo owns the midfield. Veteran Enner Valencia continues to deliver goals.
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They have five players who play in Brazil: Preciado, Alan Franco and Minda (all at Atlético), Plata (Flamengo) and Félix Torres (Internacional).
Ivory Coast have just beaten an almost full-strength France before traveling to the World Cup.
A result that boosts expectations for the Elephants’ performance.
They saw Gabon put together a strong campaign, but qualified for the fourth World Cup in their history without needing the playoffs, after missing out in 2018 and 2022.
The mission: reach the knockout stage for the first time.
The new generation features plenty of talent. Such as Adingra and Diallo (already more experienced), Diomande and Bony.
📸 LOIC VENANCE – AFP or licensors
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Kessié remains the leader in terms of experience. He is joined by Seko Fofana, Sangaré and Pépé.
🏆 Group F
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇯🇵 Japan
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇹🇳 Tunisia
Match Schedule 📅
June 14 – 5pm – Netherlands x Japan
June 14 – 11pm – Sweden x Tunisia
June 20 – 2pm – Netherlands x Sweden
June 21 – 1am – Tunisia x Japan
June 26 – 8pm – Netherlands x Tunisia and Japan x Sweden
Has the long-awaited moment finally arrived for the Netherlands national team?
Talent has never been lacking. But the three runner-up finishes still sting. And they will try to end that drought in their 12th World Cup.
They did not beat Poland in their qualifying group, but saw their rival slip up more often and qualified directly.
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There are 15 players from Premier League clubs (injured Xavi Simons would have been the 16th) and plenty of standout names.
Van Dijk, Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, Gravenberch, Reijnders, Gakpo and Memphis carry the burden of leading the team once again coached by Ronald Koeman.
Memphis, for example, has the “mission” of scoring goals in “big” matches.
He became the national team’s all-time top scorer (55 goals), surpassing Van Persie.
Japan secured a place in the eighth World Cup in their history.
Qualification came without any scares, finishing ahead of Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Their best campaigns? The Round of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022.
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An increasingly “European” Japan side features several standout players at important clubs in the Old Continent.
Endo (Liverpool), Kubo (Sociedad), DĹŤan (Eintracht), Kamada (Palace), Ueda (Feyenoord) and Maeda (Celtic) are among the biggest hopes.
Sweden had an embarrassing qualifying campaign (zero wins and bottom of the group), but got a second chance thanks to their Nations League performance.
They came through Ukraine and Poland in the playoffs to secure a place at the 13th World Cup in their history — returning after missing out on Qatar.
They were runners-up to Brazil in 1958 and also reached three other semifinals.
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Their last strong campaign was in 2018, when they made the quarterfinals.
📸 Linnea Rheborg – 2026 Getty Images
There is no denying that the greatest concentration of talent is up front: Gyökeres — scorer of 158 club goals over the last five seasons — Isak and Elanga.
Tunisia have reached a World Cup for the seventh time — the third in a row.
They had the most dominant qualifying campaign in Africa.
Only six call-ups play in the country: 28 points out of a possible 30.
Talbi and Abdi, who play in France, are key assets in defense.
📸 SAMEER AL-DOUMY – AFP or licensors
Number 10 Hannibal Mejbri, developed at United and now at Burnley, is the main reference in midfield alongside Ellyes Skhiri of Eintracht Frankfurt.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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