Germany and the Ivory Coast each enjoyed contrasting winning starts at the 2026 World Cup.
Die Mannschaft were given a brief scare when Livano Comenencia claimed a slice of World Cup history for Group E minnows Curacao by netting an equaliser in Houston.
But Julian Nagelsmann's team responded in merciless fashion, Arsenal forward Kai Havertz rounding off a 7-1 win with his second of the match.
Ivory Coast's game against Ecuador remained on a knife-edge until Manchester United star Amad Diallo came off the bench to net a wonderful late winner.
Victory for either side could all but seal top spot and a knockout-stage encounter against one of the best third-place finishers.
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Germany projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. M. Neuer (GK) — 6. J. Kimmich, 4. J. Tah, 15. N. Schlotterbeck, 18. N. Brown — 5. A. Pavlovic, 23. F. Nmecha — 19. L. Sane, 10. J. Musiala, 17. F. Wirtz — 7. K. Havertz
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Deniz Undav came off the bench against Curacao to score, extending his superb international record to seven goals in 10 internationals, and the Stuttgart forward is pushing for a start.
However, the four-pronged attack of Leroy Sane. Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz are likely to remain intact.
Germany came through their opening match with no injury concerns and Nagelsmann could name an unchanged side.
MORE:Where is Freddy? Germany fan latest updates from travel across United States at World Cup
Ivory Coast projected starting 11
(4-4-2 right to left): Y. Fofana (GK) — 17. G. Doue, 5. W. Singo, E. Agbadou, 3. Konan — 15. Amad, 8. F. Kessie, 6. S. Fofana, 11. Y. Diomande — 9. A-Y. Bonny, 24. B. Toure
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Amad Diallo's absence from the starting lineup against Ecuador was a pre-match talking point, and his decisive contribution means he can expect to be in from kickoff this time around.
Nicolas Pepe is most likely to make way, with rising star Yan Diomande switching flanks.
Elye Wahi has been allowed into Canada following initial visa complications following his alleged involvement in match-fixing. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker might still drop out of the starting lineup in the circumstances, with Ange-Yoan Bonny a possible beneficiary.
MORE:Elye Wahi arrest details: What to know about Ivory Coast player allegedly involved in match fixing
Germany vs. Ivory Coast predictions, betting odds
This should be a keenly contested affair, and Germany might even have to come from behind before pulling clear down the stretch.
Score prediction: Germany 3-1 Ivory Coast.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast World Cup rosters
Here are the names on Germany and the Ivory Coast's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.
Germany World Cup roster
Head coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 12 Oliver Baumann Hoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany) 35 11
GK 1 Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 40 124
GK 21 Alexander Nubel Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 29 3
DEF 3 Waldemar Anton Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) 29 12
DEF 18 Nathaniel Brown Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga, Germany) 22 3
DEF 13 Pascal Gross Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League, England) 34 18
DEF 6 Joshua Kimmich Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 31 108
DEF 22 David Raum RB Leipzig (Bundesliga, Germany) 28 36
DEF 2 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) 33 82
DEF 15 Nico Schlotterbeck Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) 26 25
DEF 4 Jonathan Tah Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 30 45
DEF 24 Malick Thiaw Newcastle United (Premier League, England) 24 5
MID 20 Nadiem Amiri Mainz (Bundesliga, Germany) 29 9
MID 8 Leon Goretzka Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 31 66
MID 10 Jamal Musiala Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 23 40
MID 23 Felix Nmecha Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) 25 6
MID 25 Assan Ouedraogo RB Leipzig (Bundesliga, Germany) 20 1
MID 5 Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) 22 9
MID 19 Leroy Sane Galatasaray (Super Lig, Turkey) 30 74
MID 16 Angelo Stiller Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) 25 7
MID 17 Florian Wirtz Liverpool (Premier League, England) 23 39
FWD 14 Maximilian Beier Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, Germany) 23 7
FWD 7 Kai Havertz Arsenal (Premier League, England) 26 57
FWD 9 Jamie Leweling Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) 25 4
FWD 26 Deniz Undav Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) 29 7
FWD 11 Nick Woltemade Newcastle United (Premier League, England) 24 10
Ivory Coast World Cup squad
Head coach: Emerse Fae
Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Yahia Fofana Caykur Rizespor (Super Lig, Turkey) 25 35
GK 16 Mohamed Kone Charleroi (Pro League, Belgium) 24 0
GK 23 Alban Lafont Panathinaikos (Super League, Greece) 27 4
DEF 20 Emmanuel Agbadou Besiktas (Super Lig, Turkey) 26 28
DEF 2 Ousmane Diomande Sporting CP (Primeira Liga, Portugal) 22 15
DEF 17 Guela Doue Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) 23 20
DEF 3 Ghislain Konan Gil Vicente (Primeira Liga, Portugal) 30 54
DEF 7 Odilon Kossounou Atalanta (Serie A, Italy) 25 35
DEF 21 Evan Ndicka AS Roma (Serie A, Italy) 26 28
DEF 13 Christopher Operi Istanbul Basaksehir (Super Lig, Turkey) 29 12
DEF 5 Wilfried Singo Galatasaray (Super Lig, Turkey) 25 34
MID 6 Seko Fofana Porto (Primeira Liga, Portugal) 31 34
MID 25 Parfait Guiagon Charleroi (Pro League, Belgium) 25 5
MID 8 Franck Kessie Al Ahli (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) 29 103
MID 26 Christ Inao Oulai Trabzonspor (Super Lig, Turkey) 20 9
MID 18 Ibrahim Sangare Nottingham Forest (Premier League, England) 28 58
MID 4 Jean Michael Seri Maribor (PrvaLiga, Slovenia) 34 65
FWD 10 Simon Adingra AS Monaco (Ligue 1, France) 24 29
FWD 9 Ange-Yoan Bonny Inter Milan (Serie A, Italy) 22 1
FWD 14 Oumar Diakite Cercle Brugge (Pro League, Belgium) 22 29
FWD 11 Amad Diallo Man United (Premier League, England) 23 19
FWD 11 Yan Diomande RB Leipzig (Bundesliga, Germany) 19 10
FWD 22 Evann Guessand Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) 24 21
FWD 19 Nicolas Pepe Villarreal (La Liga, Spain) 31 55
FWD 24 Bazoumana Traore Hoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany) 20 6
FWD 12 Elye Wahi Nice (Ligue 1, France) 23 2
Where to watch Germany vs. Ivory Coast
TV channel: Fox
Live stream:fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:
Region TV Streaming
Canada TSN1, TSN4, RDS 2 TSN+, RDS app
UK ITV1, STV Scotland ITVX, STV Player
Australia SBS SBS On Demand
India Unite8 Sports 1 ZEE5