2026 World Cup: Germany vs. Curacao confirmed line-ups | OneFootball

Julian Nagelsmann is able to call upon veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for Germany’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup, as Die Mannschaft open their campaign against the smallest nation in the tournament’s history, Curacao.

Germany vs. Curacao is the first match to take place in Group E, and will be followed by Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador at midnight later this evening.

There are no Serie A representatives in either squad: Inter’s Yann Bisseck was the most likely Italian-based player to be called up to the Germany squad, but he was not included in Nagelsmann’s 26-man roster despite winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2025-26.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 03: Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after being confirmed as Serie A champions following victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Former Milan defender Malick Thiaw is named among the German substitutes, as are a number of players who have been linked with a move to the Rossoneri over the last few seasons, including Leon Goretzka and Assan Ouedraogo and the Juventus-linked Antonio Rudiger.

Kick-off is due at 18.00 BST.

Germany vs. Curacao: Confirmed line-ups

DORTMUND – MARCH 23: Julian Nagelsmann looks on prior to the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz.

Subs: Baumann, Neubel, Rudiger, Anton, Raum, Thiaw, Goretzka, Leweling, Gross, Stiller, Amiri, Ouedraogo, Beier, Undav. 

Curacao (4-4-2): Room, Floranus, Obispo, Bazoer, Fonville; J.Bacuna, Comencia, L.Bacuna, Chong; Locadia, Hansen

Subs: Bodak, Doornbusch, Sambo, Gaari, Van Eijma, Brenet, Roemeratoe, Martha, Felida, Antonisse, Noslin, Margaritha, Kuwas, Kastaneer.