Two more groups crack open on Sunday. Germany finally walks onto a tournament pitch carrying real expectations again, Netherlands face a Japan side everyone except Japan has underrated, and a chaotic Ivory Coast–Ecuador match closes out the daytime block before Sweden and Tunisia play the late window. Four games, all on US soil, all with implications that ripple straight into the second matchday.
Germany vs Curaçao · MetLife · 1:00 PM ET
Curaçao at a World Cup is one of the stories of the qualifying cycle. The Caribbean side punched its first-ever ticket on the back of a defensive shape that almost no Concacaf opponent solved, and they enter as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament by a wide margin. Germany, who have rebuilt from the wreckage of two group-stage exits, should win this comfortably — but the test is how they win it. The under-20 generation of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Niclas Füllkrug is supposed to score early, score often, and bank goal-difference points that matter when you tie Ecuador on matchday two. If Germany scrapes a 1-0 here, the alarm bells will sound louder than they should.
Key matchup: Wirtz against Curaçao's deep block. He has spent club season after club season at Leverkusen unpicking exactly this kind of low defence. If he plays as the false nine the federation has been hinting at, expect a half-volley winner of a different variety.
Netherlands vs Japan · Lincoln Financial Field · 4:00 PM ET
This is the day's most interesting match. Japan have qualified for eight straight World Cups now and arrive on the back of a three-year run that includes wins over Germany and Spain in 2022. The Samurai Blue press hard, transition fast, and have a midfield two — Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita — that can absorb the second ball against anyone. Netherlands have Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons back to club form, and a centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Jurriën Timber that is one of the best in the tournament on paper.
The Dutch will dominate possession. The question is whether they can do anything with it against Japan's mid-block. Memphis Depay starting through the middle gives them a focal point, but the margin for error is thin. A Dutch draw here makes Group F a three-team chase with Sweden lurking.
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador · AT&T Stadium · 7:00 PM ET
The two teams in Group E that are not Germany play first to set the early table. Ivory Coast brought the entire 2024 Africa Cup of Nations winning core to the United States — Sébastien Haller, Simon Adingra, Franck Kessié, Serge Aurier in his last tournament — and look the more cohesive side. Ecuador are younger and a touch quicker, with Moisés Caicedo controlling the midfield and Kendry Páez wearing the playmaker hat at 19.
Expect a tight first half, a couple of yellow cards, and an opening goal somewhere in the second half. Both teams are very aware that whoever takes three points here puts the loser in near-elimination territory before matchday two.
Sweden vs Tunisia · SoFi Stadium · 10:00 PM ET
The nightcap. Sweden are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2018 with Alexander Isak in maybe the best individual scoring form of any forward in the tournament. Tunisia are organised, physical, and difficult to break down — and they have a habit of stealing goal-difference draws against bigger names. Last time the two met at a tournament, Sweden won 1-0 with a late header. The script is similar here: Sweden play patient, Tunisia frustrate, and the first goal probably decides it.
Watch the wide channels. Tunisia's defence is good in the centre but susceptible on the overlap. If Anthony Elanga is on the pitch and running at the right-back, Sweden score twice.
What's at stake by Sunday night
By 1 AM Eastern, Groups E and F will both have a leader, a likely eliminator, and a clearer picture of who slots into the Round of 32 bracket the world is already drawing on bar napkins. The full tournament schedule is on the Scorelisto soccer page with live scores from kickoff, and our daily blog index picks up the recap by Monday morning.
The three things to keep an eye on:
- Germany's tempo. If they look bored against Curaçao, it tells you something about the match ahead.
- Japan's first 25 minutes. They press the hardest in the opening phase. If Netherlands survive it cleanly, the Dutch win 2-1.
- The Sweden–Tunisia weather. SoFi is a roof venue, so no excuses, but the late-window pace is always slower. Watch the substitutions on the hour mark.
FAQ
Where can I watch Germany vs Curaçao? Fox Sports 1 in the US, Telemundo in Spanish, BBC iPlayer in the UK, and across local broadcasters elsewhere. All four Sunday games are available on the FIFA+ pass in regions where it is licensed.
Is Wirtz starting? Federation released a likely XI on Saturday with Wirtz in a free role behind Füllkrug. Musiala rotated to the left.
What groups are not playing today? Groups A, B, C and D all played matchday one over the weekend. Groups G, H, I, J, K and L open over the next three days. Day 5 brings Spain vs Cape Verde.
How do tiebreakers work? Points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head — the standard FIFA order, applied across all 12 groups. We broke the full tiebreaker rules down on the Scorelisto blog.