World Cup preview: Germany and Ivory Coast team news and key stats,
By Joel Masibo, June 20, 2026The leading sides in Group E will lock horns at Toronto’s BMO Field on Saturday evening, June 20, 2026, as Germany take on Ivory Coast in a highly anticipated second-round fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two countries have met only once before, drawing 2-2 in a friendly back in November 2009. On that occasion, Lukas Podolski rescued Germany with a late equaliser after scoring both of his team’s goals.
Match overview
Germany arrive full of confidence after producing the most dominant performance of the tournament so far. Julian Nagelsmann’s men overwhelmed World Cup newcomers Curacao 7-1 in their opening Group E encounter in Houston.
Felix Nmecha put the Germans ahead within six minutes, but Curacao briefly shocked the four-time champions by drawing level midway through the opening half. The response from Germany was emphatic, however, as Kai Havertz struck twice while Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also found the net.
The result placed Germany among a select group of teams to score seven or more goals in a World Cup match this century, with the Europeans responsible for three of those high-scoring displays.
A victory against Ivory Coast, coupled with Curacao avoiding defeat against Ecuador, would see Germany take control of Group E.
Nagelsmann’s side have been in excellent form over the past several months, winning 10 consecutive matches in all competitions since September 2025. In nine of those victories, they have scored at least twice.
Despite their attacking brilliance, defensive concerns remain. Germany have conceded in four of their last five matches and have not managed a clean sheet in any World Cup fixture since defeating Argentina 1-0 in the 2014 final.
Ivory Coast also began their campaign positively after edging Ecuador 1-0 in a dramatic encounter.
The South Americans hit the frame of the goal on three occasions but were unable to score. Their resistance was finally broken in stoppage time when substitute Amad Diallo produced a brilliant winning goal, ending Ecuador’s impressive 19-match unbeaten run.
The Elephants have now registered at least one victory in every World Cup tournament they have participated in and are well placed to challenge for a place in the knockout stages for the first time. A positive result from either of their remaining group matches would significantly strengthen their qualification hopes.
Emerse Fae’s team are one of only two African nations, alongside Ghana, to have won their opening group match. They also head into this contest on the back of four straight victories, including a notable 2-1 friendly triumph over France earlier this month.
Although ranked 30th in the FIFA standings, Ivory Coast have struggled against European opposition at the World Cup, recording only one win from four such matches. Germany, meanwhile, have suffered just a single World Cup defeat against an African nation.
Team news
Germany may reward Deniz Undav with a place in the starting lineup after his outstanding substitute appearance against Curacao, where he contributed a goal and two assists. The striker has now been involved in 11 goals in only 10 senior international appearances.
Even so, Nagelsmann is expected to maintain his preferred attacking quartet of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz. Havertz has scored in each of Germany’s last four major tournaments and has recorded exactly two goals in every one of them.
Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, now 40 years old, is set to continue between the posts. He is expected to line up behind a defence consisting of Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown.
For Ivory Coast, Elye Wahi is now available after resolving visa issues that had initially prevented him from entering Canada. Nevertheless, coach Emerse Fae could opt for alternative attacking options such as Ange-Yoan Bonny, Oumar Diakite or Evann Guessand alongside Bazoumana Toure.
Amad Diallo’s match-winning contribution against Ecuador could earn him a starting berth at the expense of Nicolas Pepe. The Manchester United winger has scored six international goals since October, more than any of his teammates during that period.
Teenage sensation Yan Diomande may move to the left wing. The 19-year-old produced an exceptional all-round display in the opening game, becoming the first player since detailed World Cup records began in 1966 to register at least five chances created, five tackles, 10 duels won and 10 touches inside the opposition penalty area in a single match.