Germany and Netherlands launch World Cup campaigns against Curaçao and Japan on second day of group stage
Two European heavyweights enter the 2026 World Cup on Sunday with Germany facing tournament minnows Curaçao and the Netherlands taking on Japan, while Vincenzo Montella's Turkey meet Australia to round out the day's five-match slate.
David against Goliath in Houston
Germany open their World Cup against the smallest nation in the tournament, the Caribbean island of Curaçao, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The German side, led by coach Julian Nagelsmann, is expected to field an attacking trio of Sane, Musiala and Wirtz behind striker Kai Havertz. Their opponents, coached by 78-year-old Dutchman Dick Advocaat, are an ex-Dutch colony whose squad is largely composed of players born in the Netherlands and currently active in the Eredivisie. The contest is widely seen as a mismatch.
The Netherlands face an injured Japan
Later in the evening (Italian time), Ronald Koeman's Netherlands take on Japan in a Group F clash broadcast free-to-air on Rai. The Oranje lineup is likely to include Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and a midfield of Gravenberch, Reijnders and De Jong. Japan, considered a potential dark horse, are missing captain Wataru Endo, the 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder sidelined by a foot problem. Coach Hajime Moriyasu also has to cope with the absence of other key players, but the Samurai Blue still field Premier League talent such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Daichi Kamada.
The wider schedule
Before Germany and the Netherlands take the field, Turkey under Italian manager Vincenzo Montella play Australia at 06:00 CEST. After the European prime-time slots, two further Group E and F matches fill the Italian night: Costa d'Ivoire vs Ecuador at 01:00 and Sweden vs Tunisia at 04:00. The Ivorians aim to advance past the group stage for the first time, while Sweden's attack hinges on the fitness of Alexander Isak alongside Viktor Gyökeres.
- Australia vs Turkey (Group D) – DAZN
- Germany vs Curaçao (Group E) – DAZN
- Netherlands vs Japan (Group F) – Rai and DAZN
- Costa d'Ivoire vs Ecuador (Group E) – DAZN
- Sweden vs Tunisia (Group F) – DAZN
Broadcast and group context
The Germany–Curaçao game is exclusive to DAZN, while Netherlands–Japan is available on both DAZN and Rai 1, with streaming via Rai Play. The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, has already delivered early surprises in the opening matches. Today's programme completes the first round of Groups E and F, leaving the next set of fixtures to determine the teams that will contend for the knockout spots.
