On 14 June in Houston, four-time World Cup winners Germany will face tournament debutants Curacao in a Group E curtain-raiser that will reveal whether the old power has rediscovered its form or is still haunted by a decade of decline.
Germany's last World Cup knockout match was the victorious final of 2014. Two group exits followed, painting a picture of faded glory. Hosting Euro 2024 touched up the colours somewhat, reminding many of the 2006 home tournament that ushered in a fresh, young, creative team. Once more there was optimism, flamboyance – and then another 119th-minute heartbreak at the hands of the eventual champions. Last year's Nations League Finals were a reality check, and they then lost to Slovakia in qualifying. At the last two World Cups they lost their opening game and failed to recover.
“Germany open World Cup 2026 against debutants Curacao on 14 June in Houston, with fitness doubts over Jamal Musiala.”
So all eyes on Curacao. The 11th-hour return of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – the last remaining link with the 2014 triumph, coming out of international retirement for his fifth World Cup – has soothed concerns at one end. But much hinges on the fitness of Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala, who returned to action in January after breaking his leg and dislocating an ankle at the Club World Cup last summer. He played his first 90 minutes since March against Finland on 31 May, but is unlikely to be 100% fit.
The candidates to play striker have had mixed seasons, through injury or being played out of position. Whether to play with a recognised striker or not has been a debate in Germany for years. The current plan is a 4-2-3-1, with Arsenal's Kai Havertz up top. With no traditional centre forward in the squad, Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling received the Number 9 jersey.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann, now 38, took over at Hoffenheim at 28 and led them into the Champions League. He took Leipzig to the semi-finals but was sacked at Bayern. He is 16 months younger than his goalkeeper Neuer.
Germany recovered from an opening defeat in Slovakia – only their fourth-ever loss in World Cup qualifying – to win four in a row and top the group. But the greatest obstacle to progress could be that France are looming in the last 16.