World Cup 2026: Germany vs Curacao Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Germany open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston, with kickoff at 19:00 CAT. The four-time world champions arrive as overwhelming favourites in Group E against the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, and I expect Julian Nagelsmann's side to lay down a marker. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Germany

Germany are in a completely different class to Curacao and from my point of view Nagelsmann's side should control this from the first whistle. Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz form a frightening attacking trio, and Musiala has fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered at last summer's Club World Cup. Manuel Neuer is racing back from a calf strain but is expected to start in goal, while Bayern teenager Lennart Karl has been ruled out with a thigh tear and replaced in the squad by Assan Ouedraogo. I expect a comfortable evening for the Germans, with three or four goals well within reach.

Predicted Lineup: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlovic, Nmecha, Goretzka; Musiala, Havertz, Wirtz.

Curacao

Curacao are making their first ever World Cup appearance under the returning 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, who came back to the dugout in May after Fred Rutten resigned. In my opinion this squad, built around Dutch-Curacaoan diaspora talent such as captain Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong, will set up to be compact and defend deep for ninety minutes. Goalkeeper Eloy Room is going to be very busy and his shot-stopping will need to be at its best to keep out this talented German attack. The defence is at full strength and Advocaat will be hoping to keep the scoreline respectable rather than chase the game.

Predicted Lineup: Room; Floranus, Obispo, Sambo, Gaari; Comenencia, J. Bacuna; L. Bacuna, Gorre, Antonisse; Kastaneer.

Germany have the firepower to put this match to bed inside the first hour, and I expect Wirtz and Musiala to cause problems Curacao have not had to deal with at the international level before. The Curacao defence will work hard but the gap in quality is simply too wide. My forecast: Germany 4 Curacao 0.

BTTS: No (1.39)

I am backing BTTS: No and my read on this is that Curacao's attack does not have the quality to break down a German defence marshalled by Tah and Schlotterbeck. Curacao have scored just once across two warm-up defeats this year and Nagelsmann's side conceded only a handful of goals across qualifying. At 1.39 this is the safest source of value on the board.