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

* Odds from Betway, accurate at the time of writing.

Germany start their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off at 19:00 CAT. The four-time world champions go in as huge Group E favourites against the smallest country ever to reach a World Cup, and I think Julian Nagelsmann's team will make a statement. You can find all our World Cup betting tips in our dedicated section.

Germany

Germany are on another level compared to Curacao, and I think Nagelsmann's team should run this from the opening whistle. Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz make up a scary front three, and Musiala is fully back from the broken leg he picked up at last summer's Club World Cup. Manuel Neuer is rushing back from a calf strain but should start in goal, while Bayern youngster Lennart Karl is out with a thigh tear, with Assan Ouedraogo called up in his place. I see an easy night for the Germans, with three or four goals very possible.

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

Curacao

Curacao are playing at their very first World Cup under 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, who returned to the dugout in May when Fred Rutten stepped down. As I see it, this squad, built on Dutch-Curacaoan diaspora players like captain Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong, will stay compact and sit deep for the full ninety minutes. Goalkeeper Eloy Room is in for a busy night and will need his shot-stopping at its very best to keep this gifted German attack out. The back line is at full strength, and Advocaat will want to keep the score respectable instead of chasing the game.

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

Germany have enough firepower to finish this off within the first hour, and I think Wirtz and Musiala will pose problems Curacao have never faced at international level. The Curacao defence will put in a shift, but the difference in quality is just too big. My forecast: Germany 4 Curacao 0.

BTTS: No (1.39)

My pick is BTTS: No, as I think Curacao's attack lacks the quality to get through a German defence led by Tah and Schlotterbeck. Curacao have found the net only once in two warm-up losses this year, and Nagelsmann's team let in just a handful of goals in qualifying. At 1.39 it is the safest value on offer.