Germany v Ivory Coast prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group E

Germany arrive at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday as the most potent attacking side at the FIFA World Cup 2026, having racked up seven goals in a single game and conceded just one. Standing in their way in matchday two of Group E are Ivory Coast, a side that ground out a 1-0 win over Ecuador on a 90th-minute Amad Diallo goal and who know that a second win here would all but confirm their place in the round of 32. Win this and Germany are through. Win it and Ivory Coast are right in the mix. The stakes do not get much higher in the group stage.

Julian Nagelsmann's side were simply devastating in their opener. After Felix Nmecha's sixth-minute goal was cancelled out by a historic Curaçao equaliser, Germany shifted through the gears, Kai Havertz scored twice, with Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also getting on the scoresheet in a final 7-1 scoreline. The xG data tells a similarly commanding story: Germany generated 4.22 expected goals from 26 shots, averaging 65 per cent possession and 12 shots on target. They are, on the evidence of one game at this tournament, a side in form.

The concern, if there is one, is at the back. Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to play at a World Cup, still managed to expose Germany early, and Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck will face a considerably sterner examination from Ivory Coast's quick front runners. As Germany captain Joshua Kimmich put it at Tuesday's press conference, speaking of Yan Diomande: "His dribbling is exceptional, a bit like Kingsley Coman at Bayern back in the day. He's got incredible pace."

Ivory Coast's campaign is their first at the World Cup since 2014, and Emerse Fae's squad, all 26 of whom are making their World Cup debut, showed just enough discipline against Ecuador to get the job done. They had an xG of 1.52 from 15 shots against Ecuador, managed just 48 per cent possession and mustered only four shots on target. The clean sheet was the key result; they conceded an xG of 1.01 and might have been punished on another night.

Fae will draw confidence from Ivory Coast's form ahead of the tournament. The Elephants won their fifth consecutive match across all competitions when they beat Ecuador, a run that includes a 2-1 friendly victory over France. Germany, however, represent an altogether different proposition, and the coach knows it. When asked about his ambitions before the tournament, Fae said: "I believe Ivory Coast has the potential to do something special. We will go into the tournament with the aim of winning every game, taking it one match at a time, and pushing as far as possible. Why not aim for the final?"

Nagelsmann has not hidden his respect for the opposition. "Ivory Coast are a team you can beat, but one you shouldn't take lightly," he said ahead of the tournament. Germany's own momentum is significant: the goals have flowed in ten straight wins entering this match, and Florian Wirtz, Musiala and Havertz represent one of the most technically gifted attacking trios at the tournament. Musiala, who missed considerable game time after a broken leg at the Club World Cup last summer, has recovered well enough to run Curaçao ragged, and there is more to come.

Germany v Ivory Coast kicks off at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 20 June at BMO Field, Toronto. The match is live on ITV1, STV and UTV NI in the UK, with coverage starting at 20:00 BST. UK viewers can also stream it for free on ITVX or the STV Player.