Two of Group E’s winners meet at BMO Field on Saturday when four-time world champions Germany face Ivory Coast, with top spot and early qualification on the line at the 2026 World Cup.
Germany arrive in Toronto off the biggest win of the tournament so far, a 7-1 demolition of debutants Curacao in Houston last Sunday. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to play at a World Cup, stunned Julian Nagelsmann’s side with a historic equalizer. The response was ruthless. Kai Havertz scored twice, with Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav also on the scoresheet in a statement victory.
Only five World Cup games this century have seen a nation score seven or more goals, and three of those belong to Germany. Die Mannschaft can secure top spot in Group E if they beat Ivory Coast and Ecuador fail to win against Curacao. They enter the weekend on a 10-game winning streak across all competitions dating back to September 2025, scoring two or more goals in nine of those matches.
Yet for all the firepower, Germany have looked vulnerable at the back. They have conceded in four of their last five matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven World Cup games since the 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2014 final. That defensive record will be tested by an Ivory Coast side that knows how to strike late.
Ivory Coast’s Late Drama and Historic Opportunity
After missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Ivory Coast marked their return with a dramatic 1-0 win over Ecuador last Monday. Ecuador hit the woodwork three times but could not break through, before substitute Amad Diallo curled in a superb 90th-minute winner. The result ended Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten run stretching nearly two years.
The Elephants have now won at least one game at each of their four World Cup appearances and are well placed to reach the knockout rounds for the first time. At least a point from their final two games would all but guarantee a top-three finish. Emerse Faé’s team are one of only two African nations, along with Ghana, to win their opening group game. They come into Saturday on a four-game winning run in all competitions, including a 2-1 friendly victory over France a fortnight ago.
Ranked 30th in the world by FIFA, Ivory Coast have only one win from four previous World Cup meetings with European opposition, drawing one and losing two. Germany, by contrast, have lost just once to an African nation at the World Cup, with five wins and two draws. The only previous meeting between these sides was a 2-2 friendly in November 2009, when Lukas Podolski scored twice for Germany, including a 90th-minute equalizer.
Team News: Undav Pushes for Start, Diallo Eyes XI After Winner
Nagelsmann may consider handing a start to Deniz Undav. The striker scored and added two assists off the bench against Curacao and has 11 goal contributions in 10 senior appearances for Germany, with seven goals and four assists. Still, the front four of Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Kai Havertz is likely to stay intact. Havertz is the only German to score at each of the last four major tournaments, netting exactly twice at each.
At 40, Manuel Neuer is the oldest German ever to play at a World Cup and will be shielded by Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Nathaniel Brown. Aleksandar Pavlović and Felix Nmecha are set to continue in midfield.
Germany possible starting lineup: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlović, Nmecha; Sané, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Ivory Coast have been boosted by the late travel clearance for Elye Wahi. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker had initially been denied entry into Canada due to visa complications amid reports of an arrest on suspicion of match-fixing offences, but he has since received authorization and could feature. Faé may still opt for Ange-Yoan Bonny, Oumar Diakite, or Evann Guessand alongside Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Touré.
Amad Diallo is pushing to start after his match-winning impact against Ecuador. The Manchester United winger has six international goals since October, more than any other Ivory Coast player in that span. That could see Nicolas Pépé drop to the bench, with Yan Diomandé switching to the left. Against Ecuador, the 19-year-old Liverpool-linked midfielder became the first player on record since 1966 to create 5+ chances, make 5+ tackles, win 10+ duels, and have 10+ touches in the opposition box in a World Cup match.
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup: Y. Fofana; Doué, Singo, Agbadou, Konan; Diallo, Kessié, S. Fofana, Diomandé; Bonny, Touré
Germany’s attack looks irresistible, but Ivory Coast have momentum, belief, and a habit of late goals. If the Elephants can exploit Germany’s defensive lapses, Group E could be blown wide open. If Die Mannschaft click again, they’ll be the first team into the last 32.
