Groups E and F launch in Houston and Dallas: Germany faces a debutant, Japan clashes with another giant

The fourth matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States saw the start of Groups E and F. The spotlight was on matches featuring Germany and the Netherlands, both opening their groups against opponents with varying experience and ambitions.

In Houston, Germany kicks off the tournament against Curaçao—the smallest nation among the participants and one of four debutants at the expanded World Cup. For the German team, which was eliminated at the group stage in the last two tournaments, this match is a chance to break that unlucky streak. Much attention is on Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz, but the contributions of both veteran players and young talents could prove decisive. Germany is ranked 10th in the FIFA rankings and is seen as the clear favorite in the group, with Ecuador expected to be their main rival.

Curaçao, led by renowned coach Dick Advocaat, has made its debut on the global stage. Central midfield features the Bakuna brothers: the experienced Leandro and the younger Juninho. For the island team, qualifying for the tournament is already a historic achievement.

In Dallas, the Netherlands (8th in the FIFA rankings) begin their campaign against Japan. Captain Virgil van Dijk remains a key figure in the 'Oranje' defense. However, the opponent is no pushover: Japan is known for its stamina and squad depth. At the last World Cup, the Japanese defeated both Germany and Spain, knocking Germany out of the playoffs. Now, the 'Samurai' are aiming to surprise again, this time against the Netherlands.

The match in Arlington promises not only sporting intrigue, but also a vibrant spectacle in the stands: Japanese fans traditionally support their team with full dedication, while the Netherlands supporters will hold their famous Oranje Fanwalk—a parade in orange colors that will take place on American soil for the first time.

In Philadelphia, Ecuador faces Ivory Coast. Ecuador arrives at the tournament after a successful qualification run in South America and relies on a solid defense, reminiscent of 2006 when the team reached the playoffs for the first time. Special attention is on Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo. Ivory Coast is one of only two African teams that did not concede a single goal during the qualifiers. Nicolas Pépé stands out in attack, and captain Franck Kessié has already played over 100 matches for the national team.

In Monterrey, Sweden and Tunisia kick off Group F. The Swedes qualified without a single victory, taking advantage of UEFA's format, and now need to prove themselves. Their main hope is striker Alexander Isak. Tunisia, like Ivory Coast, did not concede a single goal in qualifying. The team's leaders are midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and captain Ellyes Skhiri. Both teams hope for a strong start to compete with the group's favorites.

Groups E and F are considered among the most unpredictable in the tournament: here there are both clear favorites and teams capable of causing surprises. Attention to these matches is high not only in Europe but also in Spain, where interest in world football is traditionally strong. For comparison, a match in England recently took place that also drew significant attention: Sunderland fought for a rare double against Chelsea, highlighting how important the opening games are for the ambitions of the teams.

For reference: the 2026 World Cup is being held for the first time in three countries — the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament features 48 teams, increasing the number of debutants and expanding the geographical reach of matches. In Spain, broadcasts are on Fox, and interest in the performances of European teams is traditionally high, especially against the backdrop of Germany's recent setbacks and the Netherlands' consistent results. In the coming days, it will become clear whether the favorites can live up to expectations or again make way for new heroes.