World Cup 2026: Six group-stage battles decide knockout fate
Curacao vs Ivory Coast, Ecuador vs Germany, and four more high-stakes matches will lock in Groups D, E, and F on Thursday.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 hits a crossroads Thursday, June 25, when six group-stage matches will finalize the fate of Groups D, E, and F. Curacao faces Ivory Coast, Ecuador takes on Germany, Tunisia meets the Netherlands, Japan clashes with Sweden, Turkey battles the United States, and Paraguay squares off against Australia. Every result will determine which nations advance to the knockout round and set the tone for the tournament’s second half.
Ecuador vs Germany (Group D) is the marquee clash, with both sides needing points to secure top spot or avoid a knockout-stage upset. Germany, a three-time champion, can’t afford a slip-up, while Ecuador looks to prove its 2022 Round of 16 run wasn’t a fluke. Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Group D) is the dark-horse battle—Curacao’s first-ever World Cup appearance hangs in the balance, while Ivory Coast fights to keep its knockout hopes alive.
