Who will Germany play at World Cup 2026? Dates, kick-off times and full schedule revealed

Germany will seek to reassert their position atop the football pantheon at the FIFA World Cup as they kick off their 2026 campaign against Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

'Die Mannschaft' are in Group E for the tournament held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Julian Nagelsmann and company out to impress in North America.

They'll kick off against one of the debut stories of the year, before tangling with a pair of dark horse sides from Africa and South America that could prove slippery foes.

The  2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup  sees more history made, with a record 48 nations competing across three host nations in the USA, Canada and Mexico, at 60 venues.

It means for the first time, there will be a Round of 32 introduced at a World Cup. 

(Getty Images)

Germany's World Cup 26 Group: Who will Germany play?

In the expanded World Cup, there are now 12 Groups of four teams.

Each nation plays each other once, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knockout stages. Then the eight best third-place sides from the 12 Groups also go through.

Germany are in Group E and will face Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Group E

Germany World Cup 26 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times, venue

Germany will play their first game against Curaçao on Sunday, June 14 before they face the Ivory Coast four days later on Saturday, June 20.

They then conclude their campaign with a clash against Ecuador on Thursday, June 25.

Germany Group E Fixtures

• Sunday, June 14: Germany vs Curaçao - NRG Stadium, Houston
• Saturday, June 20: Germany vs Ivory Coast - BMO Field, Toronto
• Thursday, June 25: Germany vs Ecuadro - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Who could Germany play in the knockout stages?

The top two in each group qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, with the eight best third-placed also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played

With Germany in Group E, it means if they top the Group, they will face the third-place team in either Group A/B/C/D/F. If they finish second, they will face the runners-up of Group I, who could be France or Norway

If they finish as one of the best third-place nations, they will face the winners of Group A/B/D/G/K/L.

If Germany progress from that first knockout match, they then face a Round of 16 game, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final in order to potentially reach the final on July 19, 2026.

Getty Images

When is the FIFA World Cup 26?

The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026, with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Nearly six weeks later, the last of the 104 games - the World Cup 26 Final - will be played at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City on July 19, 2026.

World Cup 2026 format and schedule

With 48 nations involved at this World Cup, there will be 12 Groups of four teams each.

The top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history a Round of 32 will be played.

World Cup schedule and key dates:

• Group stages : June 11-27
• Round of 32:  June 28-July 3
• Round of 16:  July 4-7
• Quarter-finals : July 9-11
• Semi-finals:  July 14-15
• Bronze final:  July 19
• Final:  July 19

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