Germany should never be discounted as World Cup contenders, and yet many have readily done that this year. Julian Nagelsmann’s team are widely considered relative outsiders to lift soccer’s most prestigious prize for a record-equalling fifth time.
This may be because Germany have exited the last two World Cups at the group stage. Since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, Germany haven’t played a single World Cup knockout match.
Their status as an international soccer giant, however, remains. They begin their World Cup campaign against minnow Curaçao in Houston. Another European contender is also in action on Sunday: the Netherlands, three-time World Cup finalists, open against dark horse Japan in Dallas.
Here is your complete guide on how to watch today’s World Cup games, including kick-off times, broadcast networks, and online streaming options.
Germany v Curaçao
Time (ET): 1pm
Stadium: Houston Stadium
How to watch
United States: FOX / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC / ITV (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
Nagelsmann’s Germany have the talent to make a deep run at the World Cup and Sunday’s opener against Curaçao could be the perfect opportunity for them to get off to an empathic start.
Germany are on a nine-match winning run while Curaçao are playing at their first-ever World Cup. The talent difference between the two Group E rivals could hardly be any wider, reflected in their 72-place gap in the Fifa rankings.
Player to watch: Kai Havertz, Germany – after missing half of the 2025/26 season through injury, Havertz may be fresher than some other players at this tournament. He’s also in good form, with goals in three of his last four games for club and country.
What to read
Germany team guide
Curaçao team guide
Manuel Neuer declared as Germany’s No 1 at World Cup after retirement U-turn
‘Everyone is welcome with us’: Curaçao want you along for their first World Cup ride
Netherlands v Japan
Time (ET): 4pm
Stadium: Dallas Stadium
How to watch
United States: FOX / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC / ITV (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
The Netherlands are not currently blessed with their greatest generation of players, certainly not in an attacking sense, but Ronald Koeman’s side are still a force to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile, Japan have the technical ability to back themselves against any opponent. They won their group at the last World Cup ahead of Spain and Germany, making this matchup one of the most compelling of the entire group stage.
Player to watch: Cody Gakpo, Netherlands – if the Dutch are to have a good 2026 World Cup, they’ll need Gakpo in the top form he was in three-and-a-half years ago in Qatar. Their attacking output could depend on the Liverpool winger.
What to read
Netherlands team guide
Japan team guide
Can the Dutch get over the hump? The most likely first-time World Cup winners
Why Ecuador, Japan and Norway are the dark horses at this World Cup
Côte d’Ivoire v Ecuador
Time (ET): 7pm
Stadium: Philadelphia Stadium
How to watch
United States: FS1 / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC / ITV (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
Ecuador have dark horse potential. After finishing second in Conmebol qualifying behind only Argentina, Sebastián Beccacece’s team should be taken seriously. They could be one of the surprise packages of this World Cup.
In Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, Ecuador boast one of this tournament’s strongest center-back pairings. Their defense conceded just five goals in 18 qualifiers. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, possess tricky wingers such as Yan Diomande and Simon Adingra who could have the attacking quality to break through.
Player to watch: Diomande, Côte d’Ivoire – tipped by many to be Mohamed Salah’s replacement at Liverpool, the RB Leipzig winger could use this World Cup as a platform for even bigger and better things.
What to read
Côte d’Ivoire team guide
Ecuador team guide
‘We are knocking on the door’: Africa’s 10 contenders target World Cup glory
Why Ecuador, Japan and Norway are the dark horses at this World Cup
Tunisia v Sweden
Time (ET): 10pm
Stadium: Monterrey Stadium
How to watch
United States: FS1 / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC / ITV (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
Sweden may be the most confusing team at this World Cup. While Graham Potter’s team clearly boast top-level quality, they qualified through the back door. They finished bottom of their standard qualification group and reached the playoffs thanks to their Nations League ranking.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are at their seventh World Cup and are aiming to make it out of the group for the first time despite a run of form that has produced just one win in seven matches leading up to the tournament.
Player to watch: Alexander Isak, Sweden – after an injury-ravaged debut season at Liverpool, Isak now has the opportunity to remind everyone of his talent. Can he and Premier League champion Viktor Gyökeres operate together without making Sweden too top-heavy?
What to read
Sweden team guide
Tunisia team guide
Graham Potter: ‘I feel very Swedish when I’m working – I look a bit Swedish’
World Cup 2026: guide to all 1,248 players
Leave a Reply