Group E Matchday 2 with both sides chasing first place. Germany's Nagelsmann era continues with Wirtz, Musiala and Havertz; Ivory Coast arrive as the reigning AFCON champions with Kessie, Bissouma and Adingra. BMO Field in Toronto hosts.
Why: Germany's squad depth is significantly greater. Wirtz, Musiala, Havertz, Kimmich, Tah, Pavlovic are all Champions League level. Ivory Coast have AFCON pedigree but their Premier League options (Bissouma, Adingra) are squad rather than star players. Germany averaged 3.0 goals per match in qualifying.
Wirtz scored 6 in 8 starts before the tournament. His ability to receive between the lines and create chances out of nothing is the squad's defining attacking weapon. Against Ivory Coast's aggressive midfield press, the spaces should open. Anytime price 1.85.
Bissouma averages a yellow every 4 matches at Tottenham pace. Tasked with breaking up Wirtz-Musiala transitions, the tactical foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.50.
The match is at BMO Field, the home of MLS's Toronto FC. Capacity 45,500 for the 2026 World Cup after a 2024-25 expansion. Located on Toronto's Exhibition Place lakefront.
BMO Field hosts six matches at the 2026 World Cup including group stage and a Round of 32 fixture.
Germany have won the World Cup four times (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) and reached the final on four other occasions. Their 2022 group-stage exit was a national emergency; the 2026 cycle is the rebuild.
Julian Nagelsmann, 38, has the youngest manager profile of any major contender. His Bayer Leverkusen 2023-24 spine of Wirtz, Tah and Frimpong forms the squad's creative engine.
Something cool: Manuel Neuer is back at 40 after Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury. The 2014 World Cup winner returns from retirement, becoming the oldest goalkeeper at the tournament.
Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 on home soil. Their World Cup history is more modest: three previous appearances (2006, 2010, 2014), all ending in the group stage.
Emerse Fae, the former Ivory Coast international who took over as caretaker mid-AFCON 2023 and delivered the title, retains the role. The squad's spine combines Premier League regulars with newly-emerged talents.
Something cool: Ivory Coast's 2023 AFCON triumph remains one of the most dramatic in tournament history. They were nearly eliminated in the group stage after a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, but came back to win every knockout match.
Kimmich was named Germany captain in 2024 under Nagelsmann. 105 caps, multiple Bundesliga titles, 2020 Champions League with Bayern Munich.
His role has shifted: long established as a midfielder, he now plays primarily as a right-back for Germany, with Pavlovic anchoring the centre.
Captain at 30, in his prime, with a young Germany squad built around him.
Kessie has been Ivory Coast captain since 2022. Club journey: Atalanta to AC Milan (Serie A title 2021-22) to Barcelona to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
His role is the all-action box-to-box midfielder.
At 29 in his prime, captaining at his second World Cup. His leadership through AFCON 2023 made him a national icon.
Germany beat Curacao 4-0 on matchday 1 with goals from Wirtz, Musiala (2) and Havertz.
Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 on matchday 1 through a Karim Konate goal in the 78th minute.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jun | Germany vs Curacao | Houston | Preview → |
| 14 Jun | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | Philadelphia | Preview → |
| 20 Jun | Ecuador vs Curacao | Kansas City | Preview → |
| 20 Jun | Germany vs Ivory Coast | Toronto | This page |
| 25 Jun | Curacao vs Ivory Coast | Philadelphia | Preview → |
| 25 Jun | Ecuador vs Germany | East Rutherford | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group E overview →
Nagelsmann's 4-2-3-1 with Pavlovic and Goretzka as the double pivot, Wirtz as the playmaking ten, Musiala and Adeyemi wide of Havertz.
Fae's Ivory Coast 4-3-3 with Kessie, Bissouma and Sangare as the midfield trio, Adingra wide right, Konate up top.
Whoever wins here clinches top spot in Group E. The loser still likely advances via second.
Saturday 20 June 2026 at 16:00 ET (22:00 CEST). BMO Field, Toronto.
Right-back Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), captain since 2024.
Central midfielder Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), captain since 2022. AFCON 2023 winner.
Both sides won matchday 1 (Germany 4-0 Curacao, Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador). Whoever wins here clinches top spot in Group E.
Yes. The 40-year-old returned from retirement after Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury and is Germany's first-choice goalkeeper.
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