World Cup 2026 – Group E guide: Germany battle Ecuador’s golden generation as Curacao debut

Germany will begin their World Cup campaign against the smallest population ever to qualify, Curacao, in an intriguing Group E completed by Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying, and 2023 Afcon champions Ivory Coast. Germany arrive with optimism under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, and the country expects much more than their past two group-stage exits. But they face stiff competition from Ecuador’s golden generation, built around Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo,