Four-time champion Germany opens World Cup campaign against debutants Curaçao
Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, makes its tournament debut against Germany, a four-time champion, in a lopsided group-stage match in Houston on Sunday.
A nation of 150,000 takes the biggest stage
Curaçao, a Caribbean island with roughly 150,000 inhabitants, will become the 81st team to play in a men's World Cup when it steps onto the pitch in Houston. It is the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the tournament, and it faces an opponent holding four stars on its jersey. The match is scheduled for 19:00 CEST (12:00 local time) at Houston's World Cup venue.
Germany's pedigree and form
The Mannschaft carries the weight of four World Cup titles and arrives on a run of nine consecutive victories. After group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, Germany under Julian Nagelsmann is widely seen as a title contender. The squad will be without forward Serge Gnabry and midfielder Lennart Karl, both unavailable for this game.
The gap on paper
Ranked 82nd by FIFA, Curaçao confronts one of the tournament favourites in its baptism. The mismatch has drawn comparisons to a David-and-Goliath encounter, with the German side expected to control the match from the opening whistle. A win would put Germany on course to top the group, possibly setting up a round-of-16 meeting with France if both finish first.
Wider tournament context
The match falls on day four of the expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Elsewhere, the Netherlands also play their opening fixture on Sunday, while Portugal will debut at the same Houston stadium on Wednesday against DR Congo.
