Germany and Ivory Coast — both Match Day 1 winners — meet at BMO Field, Toronto on Saturday, 19 June 2026 (22:00 SAST (Saturday, 19 June 2026)) in a Match Day 2 Group E tie where the winner advances to the Round of 32. Germany demolished Curaçao 7-1; Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0. Our prediction: both teams to score.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group E, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Saturday, 19 June 2026 at 22:00 SAST (Saturday, 19 June 2026) |
| Venue | BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Group E standings | After Match Day 1: Germany 3pts (GD +6), Ivory Coast 3pts (GD +1), Ecuador 0pts, Curaçao 0pts |
| Stakes | Winner advances to Round of 32 with one game to spare |
| Where to watch | Go Tv or DSTV |
Win and through: the stakes at BMO Field
Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curaçao in their Group E opener was as emphatic as any opening-round performance in the tournament. In the process, Julian Nagelsmann’s side became the all-time leading scorers in World Cup history, surpassing 239 goals. Kai Havertz scored a brace to lead the way, with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sané all returning impressive performances. Germany are ranked 10th globally and have won the World Cup four times (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014), but have failed to progress past the group stage in the last two editions. The pressure to correct that record remains, even with a 7-1 win on the board.
Germany have been historically dominant against African opposition, winning five and drawing two of their seven World Cup matches against CAF sides, with just one defeat. But they are under no illusions that Ivory Coast will provide a very different test to Curaçao.
Ivory Coast made their return count. After a goalless first half against Ecuador, Amad Diallo came off the bench to score the winner — giving the Elephants all three points in their Group E opener. It was a disciplined and clinical performance from Emerse Faé’s side. A win here would confirm their knockout stage qualification for the first time in the country’s World Cup history — across four previous appearances (2006, 2010, 2014, 2022 as Group E participants), they have never progressed past the group stage.
The Ivorians have only ever won one World Cup fixture against European opposition, making this fixture their most significant test of the group campaign. Their attacking form — 10 goals in five matches, conceding just once — reflects a side in rich scoring form.
Group E is completed by Ecuador and Curaçao, both on zero points. The eventual group winner will almost certainly be decided between Germany and Ivory Coast over the next two matchdays.
Team news and expected line-ups
Germany are expected to name an unchanged side from the Curaçao victory. Manuel Neuer retains his place in goal. Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah form the central defensive partnership. Havertz leads the attack with Wirtz, Musiala, and Sané in support. Denis Undav expected to remain on the bench despite being a threat in the final third.
Ivory Coast: Amad Diallo’s match-winning impact from the bench against Ecuador gives Faé a selection decision. The Manchester United forward is expected to come into the starting XI, likely at the expense of Elye Wahi, who had struggled to find the net from the off. Simon Adingra, Franck Kessié, and Seko Fofana are all expected to retain their roles.
Update once confirmed XIs are released before kick-off. Confirm Diallo starting status.
| Germany (4-2-3-1) | Ivory Coast (4-3-3) |
| Neuer (GK) | Sangare (GK) |
| Kimmich (RB) | Belaud (RB) |
| Tah (CB) | Deli (CB) |
| Schlotterbeck (CB) | Bailly (CB) |
| Raum (LB) | Gosso (LB) |
| Andrich (DM) | Kessie (DM) |
| Kroos (DM) | Fofana (DM) |
| Sane (RM) | Adingra (RM) |
| Wirtz (AM) | Pepe (AM) |
| Musiala (LM) | Diallo (LM) |
| Havertz (ST) | Wahi/Diallo (ST) |
Key stats
- Germany: beat Curaçao 7-1 in their Group E opener. Became all-time leading World Cup scorers: 239 goals.
- Germany: 4-time World Cup winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014). Failed to reach the knockout stage in 2018 and 2022.
- Germany: ranked 10th in the world by FIFA.
- Germany form (last 5): W W W W W — scored 19 goals, conceded 6.
- Kai Havertz: scored a brace vs Curaçao. Expected to lead the attack again.
- Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané: all started and impressed in the opener.
- Germany World Cup record vs Africa: W5 D2 L1 — highly favourable record.
- Ivory Coast: beat Ecuador 1-0 in their Group E opener. Amad Diallo scored as a substitute.
- Ivory Coast: fourth World Cup appearance. Have never reached the knockout stages.
- Ivory Coast form (last 5): W W W W W — scored 10 goals, conceded just 1.
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United): bench to hero vs Ecuador — expected to start here.
- Ivory Coast World Cup record vs Europe: W1 only — this represents their biggest European test.
- H2H: only one previous meeting — Germany 2-2 Ivory Coast (18 November 2009, friendly).
- Group E standings (after Match Day 1): Germany 3pts (GD +6), Ivory Coast 3pts (GD +1), Ecuador 0pts, Curaçao 0pts.
Head-to-head
Germany and Ivory Coast have met only once before: a 2-2 draw in a friendly on 18 November 2009. That is the entirety of the head-to-head record. This World Cup Group E match is their first ever competitive encounter, and the context — both sides on three points, winner qualifies — gives it a significance that the 2009 friendly never carried.
| Date | Result |
| 18 November 2009 | Germany 2–2 Ivory Coast (Friendly) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Germany | W W W W W — 19 goals scored, 6 conceded |
| Ivory Coast | W W W W W — 10 goals scored, 1 conceded |
Our prediction
This is the standout Group E fixture and one of the most compelling Match Day 2 ties in the tournament. Both sides arrive in five-match winning streaks, but with very different profiles: Germany’s firepower is prolific (19 goals in five matches) while Ivory Coast’s efficiency is remarkable (10 goals, only one conceded).
Germany’s depth, experience, and World Cup pedigree make them the statistical favourites. Nagelsmann’s side have the individual quality across every position to control a match against any opposition, and their attacking trio of Havertz, Musiala, and Wirtz will test an Ivory Coast defence that has yet to face European-level attacking play in this tournament.
However, Ivory Coast cannot be dismissed. Their winning run, their attacking quality through Diallo, Adingra, and Pepe, and the historic motivation of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their World Cup history all point to a side that will not concede the match without a fight. Germany’s defence has shown inconsistency — conceding six goals in five wins — and Ivory Coast are well placed to exploit that.
Both sides have the attacking quality to score. The form lines and the stakes make this the most open of the Group E fixtures. Goals from both sides is the most defensible outcome.
Our prediction: both teams to score.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 22.00 UTC on 20/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Germany vs Ivory Coast event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Germany vs Ivory Coast kick off?
Kick-off is at 22:00 SAST (Saturday, 19 June 2026) on Saturday, 19 June 2026, at BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What happened in Germany’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Germany beat Curaçao 7-1 in their Group E opener. Kai Havertz scored a brace. In the process, Germany became the all-time leading scorers in World Cup history, surpassing 239 goals across all editions of the tournament.
What happened in Ivory Coast’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in their Group E opener. The only goal came from Amad Diallo, the Manchester United forward who scored as a substitute to give the Elephants their opening win.
Have Germany and Ivory Coast ever played before?
Yes — once. The sides drew 2-2 in a friendly on 18 November 2009. This World Cup Group E match is their first ever competitive encounter.
Has Ivory Coast ever reached the World Cup knockout stages?
No. Ivory Coast have participated in four previous World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, and the 2022 group stage) and have never progressed beyond the group stage. A win here would make them the first Ivorian side to qualify for the knockout rounds.
What group are Germany and Ivory Coast in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group E alongside Ecuador and Curaçao. After Match Day 1, Germany and Ivory Coast are both on three points, with Germany leading on goal difference (+6 vs +1).
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