Groups D, E, and F will settle their standings on Thursday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including Ecuador vs Germany. Ecuador have one last hope to qualify for the knockout stage by defeating Germany, while the Netherlands or Japan will top Group F. In Group D, Australia or Paraguay could advance further into the tournament. We offer predictions for every group stage match of the tournament.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Thursday June 25th in Philadelphia)
Curacao conceded 7 against Germany on matchday 1, and then conceded nothing against Ecuador on matchday 2. It was a historic result for the island nation, and shows how each game of football much be approached independent of another. Playing a very different opponent stylistically, Curacao matched up well with Ecuador and veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room turned in the performance of his career.
A win would shockingly qualify Curacao for the knockout stage, but the odds are heavily stacked in favor of Ivory Coast, who advance in the second place position with a win or a draw in this match. Yan Diomande, despite his young age, faces the pressure of creating chances for the Ivory Coast, veteran Franck Kessie was the lone goalscorer against Germany. The Ivory Coast will control possession here and although Curacao are likely to continue to play defensively sound football, you would expect the Ivory Coast to eventually get a breakthrough and secure all three points.
Prediction: Ivory Coast 3-1
Ecuador vs Germany (Thursday June 25th in New York/New Jersey)
Ecuador’s national football team are in crisis ahead of a must win game against Germany. Through two games, Ecuador have yet to score a goal, and after conceding one against Ivory Coast, they sit on one point and cannot advance to the knockout phase without a win. This is one of the best sides in the tournament defensively, but veteran striker Enner Valencia has gone cold when his country needed him most and no one else has answered the call for La Tri. Having brought massive fan support to the group stage games, fans were left booing the players and the manager, and players taking to the media to plead for patience with this young team.
Sebastian Beccacece is set to leave the Ecuador manager role, and his cautious and organized approach to South American qualifying, has proven to be poor tactically in knockout tournament football as Ecuador were disappointed in both Copa America 2024 and this World Cup. With players like Moises Caicedo unable to unlock opposing defenses, Ecuador will need to consider significant tactical and XI changes for a game against Germany where they cannot sit back.
Germany’s businesslike performances against Curacao and Ivory Coast are everything their fans could have wanted. They battered Curacao, and then scored a late winner to slip past the Ivory Coast and secure leadership of the group. With qualification secured, Germany could make XI changes that would ultimately make this game more competitive. With that said, Ecuador have struggled to score for 2+ years now, and under this level of pressure, they are unlikely to respond with an upset performance. Germany should find the space to score and condemn Ecuador to a return to Quito.
Prediction: Germany 1-0
Tunisia vs Netherlands (Thursday June 25th in Kansas City)
The Netherlands had an offensive explosion against Sweden that moved them to 4 points and put them on the cusp of winning a tough group. Tunisia sacked their manager after matchday 1 but were no better in matchday 2 against Japan. Tunisia have been the worst team this tournament both statistically and if you watch the matches. A defensive sieve that have conceded 9 goals, while offering little in the midfield or attacking phases of play.
The Netherlands have scored seven goals in two matches against Japan and Sweden, against Tunisia they look to exercise their frustrations and finish the group as leaders with players like Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey likely to continue to find the scoresheet.
Tunisia would already be an underdog on paper, but given their struggles with morale, this should be lopsided.
Prediction: Netherlands 4-0
Japan vs Sweden (Thursday June 25th in Dallas)
Having comprehensively crushed Tunisia on matchday 2, Japan continued to play their role of World Cup dark horses well. A strong performance against the Netherlands on matchday 1, has them combining for four points and certain passage into the knockout stage, likely in second place.
Sweden’s momentum against Tunisia was shattered when they were defensively disorganized against the Netherlands. This is a Sweden side that has failed to live up to expectations for some time now, and lacks consistency. Japan is the opposite, one of the most consistent teams in the world. With Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, there’s always a chance for Sweden, but a well drilled Japan is the side you would expect to be ready to perform when it matters most. This could be a high scoring game if Sweden rush forward, needing to win and get on four points.
Prediction: Japan 3-2
Turkiye vs United States (Thursday June 25th in Los Angeles)
The United States will rest and rotate their preferred XI against Turkiye, this is a pure dead rubber game, Turkiye are eliminated after failing to score in two matches against Australia and Paraguay. The United States had routine wins against those same nations to win the group on 6 points.
Turkiye will feel a bit unlikely and hard done by to be out of this tournament, but that’s football. The USA will start players like Ricardo Pepi and try to keep the squad fresh and organized ahead of the knockout stage where they are set to have a favorable draw. Even with little at stake, the momentum and energy around the USA right now is so high, they would remain the odds on favorite to sweep the group.
Prediction: United States 2-1
Paraguay vs Australia (Thursday June 25th in San Francisco)
Paraguay vs Australia is a game where a win or a draw or a draw would see both teams advance, and that sets up the draw as the likely scenario. Australia beat Turkiye, but couldn’t replicate that performance against the USA, their offense losing momentum. Paraguay bounced back from a horrific start against the United States to score early and hold that lead against Turkiye.
Both teams are set to play defensively cautious football, it’s their typical style of play, and both teams want to advance. On goal difference, Australia would be second, and Paraguay would be one of the third place teams to advance on four points.
Prediction: 0-0 Draw
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
