Preview: Germany vs Ivory Coast – Latest News, Lineups, Absences | 2026 World Cup (06/20/2026)

Last update at 19 June, 2026⏲️ Reading time: 7 minutes

Group stage clash between Germany vs Ivory Coast.

Germany vs Ivory Coast face off in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

Preview, team news, head-to-head, probable line-ups and where to watch Germany vs Ivory Coast in Group E at the 2026 World Cup

Germany and Ivory Coast are scheduled to meet in Toronto on Saturday in one of the most interesting second-round fixtures of the World Cup group stage. Both teams started Group E with victories, but they arrive at this game with very different levels of pressure.

Germany made the loudest statement of the tournament so far, thrashing Curaçao 7-1 in Houston and immediately moving to the top of the group on goal difference. It was the kind of performance that restored belief around Julian Nagelsmann’s side after Germany’s recent World Cup disappointments, although the real test now comes against stronger, more physical opposition.

Ivory Coast also began with three points in the pocket, beating Ecuador 1-0 thanks to a dramatic late winner from Amad Diallo, leaving the team with a genuine chance to take control of the group if they can trouble Germany, in what is shaping up to be one of the standout contests of the World Cup group stage.

Latest news: absences, form, team news

Germany’s opening result could hardly have been more emphatic. Nagelsmann’s side looked sharp, fluid and aggressive, with their attacking players rotating constantly and stretching Curaçao from the first half onwards. The scoreline also gives Germany a useful goal difference cushion, which could matter if Group E becomes tight later on.

Ivory Coast’s win over Ecuador was very different but no less valuable. Emerse Faé’s side may not see as much of the ball against Germany, but they have enough pace and physicality to make this a dangerous assignment.

Germany

Nagelsmann has little reason to make major changes after such a convincing start. Germany’s attacking structure worked well, with Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz all capable of operating between the lines and combining around the penalty area.

Joshua Kimmich remains the captain and one of the key figures in the team, while Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah are expected to be central to Germany’s defensive plan.

The main warning for Germany is that Curaçao were unable to punish them in transition. Ivory Coast will offer a very different type of threat, especially through Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast have no major fresh injury concerns reported after their opening win. Faé is expected to remain loyal to the core of the side that beat Ecuador, although Germany’s attacking quality may lead to a slightly more conservative approach.

Franck Kessié and Seko Fofana will be crucial in midfield, both for protecting the defence and stopping Germany from settling into an easy rhythm. Diallo could be handed a start after netting the winner off the bench against Ecuador. Evan N'Dicka is doubtful after being an unused sub in the team’s tournament opener.

Teams H2H: Head-to-head stats

Germany and Ivory Coast have met only once before at senior men’s international level, with that game ending in a draw. That friendly in Gelsenkirchen saw both teams score late, with the duel ending a draw.

Previous meetings:

18/11/2009: Germany 2-2 Ivory Coast (International friendly)

Predicted line-ups

Germany could stay close to the side that dismantled Curaçao, although Nagelsmann has enough depth to make small adjustments without weakening the team. Ivory Coast are also expected to retain the core of their opening XI, with defensive organisation and midfield strength likely to be the priority.

Position	–Germany	–Ivory Coast
Goalkeeper	Manuel Neuer	Yahia Fofana
Defenders	Joshua Kimmich Nico Schlotterbeck Jonathan Tah Nathaniel Brown	Guela Doué Wilfried Singo Emmanuel Agbadou Ghislain Konan
Midfielders	Aleksandar Pavlović Felix Nmecha Jamal Musiala	Yan Diomande Franck Kessié Seko Fofana Amad Diallo
Forwards	Leroy Sané Florian Wirtz Kai Havertz	Nicolas Pépé Elye Wahi

Tactical analysis: Can Ivory Coast stop Germany’s rotations?

Germany’s biggest strength is the movement of their attacking players. Musiala and Wirtz can drift inside, while Havertz can drop into midfield or attack the box. Against Curaçao, that movement created constant uncertainty and allowed Germany to attack from several different angles.

Get Bonus

Ivory Coast will have to be much more compact. Kessié and Fofana cannot allow Musiala and Wirtz to receive freely between midfield and defence, while the full-backs will need help against Germany’s wide rotations.

The danger for Germany comes in transition. Ivory Coast are powerful, direct and fast when they break forward, particularly through Diomande and Diallo. If Germany push too many players ahead of the ball, Faé’s side have the tools to create chances without needing long spells of possession.

Key players to watch

Jamal Musiala (Germany)

Musiala looks ready to be one of the defining players of Germany’s tournament. His balance, close control and ability to glide through crowded central areas make him a nightmare for teams that defend deep. Against Ivory Coast, Germany may not get the same freedom they enjoyed against Curaçao, which makes Musiala’s ability to beat a man even more important. If he can receive between the lines and force defenders to step out of shape, Germany’s attackers should find gaps around him.

Musiala’s goal price may not be particularly generous after Germany’s 7-1 opener, but his involvement in central attacking areas makes him a strong candidate to either score or assist.

Backing Musiala to register a goal contribution could be the smarter play than simply taking him to score, a view shared by several expert football predictions ahead of Germany's second group-stage fixture.

Franck Kessié (Ivory Coast)

While Diomande is the team’s most talented footballer, captain Kessié could be the most important Ivory Coast player on the pitch. Germany will try to overload the spaces around him with Musiala, Wirtz and Havertz, so the former Barcelona midfielder will need to read danger quickly, protect the centre-backs and help Ivory Coast escape pressure when they regain the ball.

Kessié is likely to spend much of the game tracking runners and stopping Germany’s attacks before they develop. With Musiala and Wirtz drifting into his zone, a booking for the Ivory Coast midfielder looks like an interesting angle.

Where to watch Germany vs Ivory Coast in the UK and Ireland

Germany vs Ivory Coast kicks off at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 20 June 2026 at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada.

In the United Kingdom, the match will be shown live on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

In the Republic of Ireland, the match will be available through RTÉ’s World Cup coverage and RTÉ Player.

Market insights and probabilities

Germany are clear favourites after their emphatic opening victory, with the latest World Cup outright and match odds reflecting growing confidence in Nagelsmann's side.

Current markets imply roughly a 65% to 70% chance of a German win, with Ivory Coast around 15% to 18% and the draw close to 20%.

There’s still time to take advantage of the best bonuses and offers for betting on the 2026 World Cup. Check out the available promotions for new users and claim an extra boost before they expire.

The goals market expects a more competitive game than Germany’s opener. Ivory Coast should be harder to break down than Curaçao, but they also have enough attacking threat to contribute. Germany to win and both teams to score is a tempting angle for those expecting Nagelsmann’s side to control the game without keeping it completely comfortable.

Ivory Coast are strong enough to make Germany work and dangerous enough to expose any defensive looseness. Still, Germany’s attacking quality and confidence after their opening win should give them the edge.

Our Germany vs Ivory Coast prediction and odds are now available on BetBrothers. Find out which team has the better chance of winning and discover the best opportunities to place your 2026 World Cup bets below 👇