LIVEBLOG: Germany vs. Curaçao - 2026 FIFA World Cup
Live updates as Germany takes on Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston, in the opening match of their Group E campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Simo Frigolé
45+1': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
South African fourth official Tom Abougile confirms that there will be four additional minutes to the first half.
South African fourth official Tom Abougile confirms that there will be four additional minutes to the first half.
Simo Frigolé
45': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
Brown's corner is punched away by Room and cleared by Comenenda. Kimmich gets on the receiving end of the long ball and sends a short pass to Musiala, who finds open space on the left side of the box before blasting a shot off Room close to the goal area. Sané and Pavlović take two attempts from the centre of the box in quick succession from the rebound, but Juninho Bacuna clears and Leandro hoofs it away for a throw to the Germans on the right side, close to the middle of the ground.
Brown's corner is punched away by Room and cleared by Comenenda. Kimmich gets on the receiving end of the long ball and sends a short pass to Musiala, who finds open space on the left side of the box before blasting a shot off Room close to the goal area. Sané and Pavlović take two attempts from the centre of the box in quick succession from the rebound, but Juninho Bacuna clears and Leandro hoofs it away for a throw to the Germans on the right side, close to the middle of the ground.
Simo Frigolé
44': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
Germany continue to press from the left side of the Curaçao penalty area. Wirtz gets past Fonville, hoping to make a direct run towards the goal area or deliver a cross - but Comenenda lunges with his right boot and pokes it away for a corner. The corner goes far-post, Schlotterbeck heads it towards goal but Juninho Bacuna deflects it away for another set piece, which Brown will take.
Germany continue to press from the left side of the Curaçao penalty area. Wirtz gets past Fonville, hoping to make a direct run towards the goal area or deliver a cross - but Comenenda lunges with his right boot and pokes it away for a corner. The corner goes far-post, Schlotterbeck heads it towards goal but Juninho Bacuna deflects it away for another set piece, which Brown will take.
Simo Frigolé
42': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
Wirtz with a short pass to Musiala on the left side of the box. Swarmed by Obispo and Comenenda, Musiala performs a 90-degree turn with the ball, then reverses to get them out of the way before attempting a ground pass to the goal area - hoping to find Havertz. Room charges out and grabs onto the ball with both hands before the Arsenal striker could slide in.
Wirtz with a short pass to Musiala on the left side of the box. Swarmed by Obispo and Comenenda, Musiala performs a 90-degree turn with the ball, then reverses to get them out of the way before attempting a ground pass to the goal area - hoping to find Havertz. Room charges out and grabs onto the ball with both hands before the Arsenal striker could slide in.
Simo Frigolé
40': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
Wirtz attempts to lob the ball into the right side of the box, but Sané cannot get there in time - when he does, Fonville already has the inside angle and pushes him off his mark as the ball rolls out of play for a goal kick to the Caribbean side. Sané believes that there is a foul on the play, visibly frustrated - but Jalal Jayed allows for play to continue as normal.
Wirtz attempts to lob the ball into the right side of the box, but Sané cannot get there in time - when he does, Fonville already has the inside angle and pushes him off his mark as the ball rolls out of play for a goal kick to the Caribbean side. Sané believes that there is a foul on the play, visibly frustrated - but Jalal Jayed allows for play to continue as normal.
Simo Frigolé
38': GERMANY 2-1 CURAÇAO
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!
(N. Schlotterbeck - assist: N. Brown)
Nathaniel Brown with a near-post cross from the right side of the Curaçao third - and Nico Schlotterbeck times his header perfectly, deflecting the ball past Eloy Room and into the bottom-left corner! Germany retake the lead seven minutes from halftime in Houston, 2-1 the score to the DFB-Team.
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!
(N. Schlotterbeck - assist: N. Brown)
Nathaniel Brown with a near-post cross from the right side of the Curaçao third - and Nico Schlotterbeck times his header perfectly, deflecting the ball past Eloy Room and into the bottom-left corner! Germany retake the lead seven minutes from halftime in Houston, 2-1 the score to the DFB-Team.
Simo Frigolé
36': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Juninho Bacuna with a chance from long-range, but it does not test Neuer too much, going well over the bar. The German counterattack sees Nmecha thread the ball to Wirtz on the right side - but the Liverpool attacking midfielder's shot is blocked by the leg of Riechedly Bazoer and out of play for a corner. Nathaniel Brown will take the set-piece.
Juninho Bacuna with a chance from long-range, but it does not test Neuer too much, going well over the bar. The German counterattack sees Nmecha thread the ball to Wirtz on the right side - but the Liverpool attacking midfielder's shot is blocked by the leg of Riechedly Bazoer and out of play for a corner. Nathaniel Brown will take the set-piece.
Simo Frigolé
32': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Kimmich with a through ball into the centre of the box for Sané. The Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen-born winger hopes to pick out the bottom-right corner with what looked to be a curling shot, but the body of Fonville makes yet another block. Wirtz runs into the open space, hoping to grab onto the rebound, but he loses his footing and falls to the ground.
Kimmich with a through ball into the centre of the box for Sané. The Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen-born winger hopes to pick out the bottom-right corner with what looked to be a curling shot, but the body of Fonville makes yet another block. Wirtz runs into the open space, hoping to grab onto the rebound, but he loses his footing and falls to the ground.
Simo Frigolé
30': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Now it's Pavlović with a chance of his own from the edge of the box - but Fonville slides to deflect it with his right leg, and it bounces for another corner, the third for the Germans in the last six minutes. Kimmich with the ensuing corner delivery, but this time, Obispo heads it away and it gives Curaçao some time to regroup.
Now it's Pavlović with a chance of his own from the edge of the box - but Fonville slides to deflect it with his right leg, and it bounces for another corner, the third for the Germans in the last six minutes. Kimmich with the ensuing corner delivery, but this time, Obispo heads it away and it gives Curaçao some time to regroup.
Simo Frigolé
29': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Kimmich's cross is punched away by Room, but Germany regroup and enter the right side of the box just seconds later. Musiala darts towards the Curaçao goal area on his own, but a sweeping slide tackle from Comerencia knocks the ball away for another corner. Germany unfazed by the equaliser, maintaining momentum with 73 % possession.
Kimmich's cross is punched away by Room, but Germany regroup and enter the right side of the box just seconds later. Musiala darts towards the Curaçao goal area on his own, but a sweeping slide tackle from Comerencia knocks the ball away for another corner. Germany unfazed by the equaliser, maintaining momentum with 73 % possession.
Simo Frigolé
28': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Kimmich with a precise cross into the centre of the box - Nico Schlotterbeck leaps over Sharel Floranus and powers a header just under the crossbar towards the centre of the goal. Eloy Room punches it away with his right hand - corner to Germany. What a chance to regain the lead!
Kimmich with a precise cross into the centre of the box - Nico Schlotterbeck leaps over Sharel Floranus and powers a header just under the crossbar towards the centre of the goal. Eloy Room punches it away with his right hand - corner to Germany. What a chance to regain the lead!
Simo Frigolé
26': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
The Bacuna brothers go up against Jamal Musiala on the right side of the Curaçao third, sending the FC Bayern attacking midfielder to the ground. Free kick, which his Bayern teammate Kimmich will deliver into the centre of the box.
The Bacuna brothers go up against Jamal Musiala on the right side of the Curaçao third, sending the FC Bayern attacking midfielder to the ground. Free kick, which his Bayern teammate Kimmich will deliver into the centre of the box.
Simo Frigolé
24': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
Into the first cooling break of the match at NRG Stadium, which is one of five indoor venues at this World Cup (the other four: Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, AT&T Stadium - Arlington, SoFi Stadium - Inglewood, BC Place - Vancouver).
What do you think of Germany's performance so far? If you have any comments or questions that you want to see showcased here on the liveblog, feel free to send me a message on X (@kettusport) or Instagram (@kettusport_) - I will be putting your thoughts on the match up here at stoppages in this match or during the halftime break. We look forward to hearing from you!
Into the first cooling break of the match at NRG Stadium, which is one of five indoor venues at this World Cup (the other four: Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, AT&T Stadium - Arlington, SoFi Stadium - Inglewood, BC Place - Vancouver).
What do you think of Germany's performance so far? If you have any comments or questions that you want to see showcased here on the liveblog, feel free to send me a message on X (@kettusport) or Instagram (@kettusport_) - I will be putting your thoughts on the match up here at stoppages in this match or during the halftime break. We look forward to hearing from you!
Simo Frigolé
21': GERMANY 1-1 CURAÇAO
CURAÇAO GOAL
(L. Comerencia - assist: J. Locadia)
Jürgen Locadia weaves his way into the right side of the box. Joshua Kimmich slides in to block the initial attempt, then attempts to tap the ball away from danger. Unfortunately for the Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg-born right-back, Livano Comerencia rushes into the space and takes a right-footed attempt off the gloves of Manuel Neuer and over the line. Curaçao have their first-ever FIFA World Cup goal and the scores are level within the first half-hour in Houston.
CURAÇAO GOAL
(L. Comerencia - assist: J. Locadia)
Jürgen Locadia weaves his way into the right side of the box. Joshua Kimmich slides in to block the initial attempt, then attempts to tap the ball away from danger. Unfortunately for the Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg-born right-back, Livano Comerencia rushes into the space and takes a right-footed attempt off the gloves of Manuel Neuer and over the line. Curaçao have their first-ever FIFA World Cup goal and the scores are level within the first half-hour in Houston.
Simo Frigolé
19': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
Leroy Sané makes a defensive interception at the edge of the box, winning the ball back from Juninho Bacuna; however, the ball lands to Juninho's older brother Leandro Bacuna - who takes a left-footed attempt from 30 metres out but smashes it well over the bar. On the ensuing counter, Wirtz supplies a cross into the centre of the box, but Kai Havertz cannot take full advantage and it bounces out of play to his right.
Leroy Sané makes a defensive interception at the edge of the box, winning the ball back from Juninho Bacuna; however, the ball lands to Juninho's older brother Leandro Bacuna - who takes a left-footed attempt from 30 metres out but smashes it well over the bar. On the ensuing counter, Wirtz supplies a cross into the centre of the box, but Kai Havertz cannot take full advantage and it bounces out of play to his right.
Simo Frigolé
16': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
The left side of the German XI has been performing very well so far. Brown and Schlotterbeck have started the bulk of the attacking chances, with the latter maintaining a 23 / 25 passing rate (92 %); he then supplies the ball to Nmecha, who in turn either decides to go for an attempt or supply a short pass to Wirtz at the edge of / inside the box.
The left side of the German XI has been performing very well so far. Brown and Schlotterbeck have started the bulk of the attacking chances, with the latter maintaining a 23 / 25 passing rate (92 %); he then supplies the ball to Nmecha, who in turn either decides to go for an attempt or supply a short pass to Wirtz at the edge of / inside the box.
Simo Frigolé
13': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
Nmecha leaps to meet a long ball from Joshua Kimmich in the centre of the box, but coming back down, he accidentally touches the ball and without much power on it, it rolls into the hands of Room. In the seconds that follow, Wirtz tries another shot from distance on the left side of the Curacao third, but whistles it wide of the right post.
Nmecha leaps to meet a long ball from Joshua Kimmich in the centre of the box, but coming back down, he accidentally touches the ball and without much power on it, it rolls into the hands of Room. In the seconds that follow, Wirtz tries another shot from distance on the left side of the Curacao third, but whistles it wide of the right post.
Simo Frigolé
10': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
Leroy Sané finds space between Obispo and Deveron Fonville on the right side of the box before receiving a through ball from Jamal Musiala. With Obispo converging on him, he attempts a quick right-footed attempt, but hits it off the wrong side of his boot and it is a low roller to the left of the Curaçao goal.
Leroy Sané finds space between Obispo and Deveron Fonville on the right side of the box before receiving a through ball from Jamal Musiala. With Obispo converging on him, he attempts a quick right-footed attempt, but hits it off the wrong side of his boot and it is a low roller to the left of the Curaçao goal.
Simo Frigolé
8': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
Nmecha has another go, this time from the edge of the box and towards the top-left corner. Room leaps to hopefully get a hand on it, but the attempt misses the left post by a few metres and Curaçao will have a goal kick as a result.
Nmecha has another go, this time from the edge of the box and towards the top-left corner. Room leaps to hopefully get a hand on it, but the attempt misses the left post by a few metres and Curaçao will have a goal kick as a result.
Simo Frigolé
6': GERMANY 1-0 CURAÇAO
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!
(F. Nmecha - assist: F. Wirtz)
Jamal Musiala's initial shot on the left side of the box is blocked by Armando Obispo, but the Germans regroup. Florian Wirtz and Felix Nmecha connect on a series of passes, with the Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder curling the ball past an unmoving Eloy Room and into the right side of the goal! It's game on in Houston as Germany opens the scoring after just six minutes of action!
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!
(F. Nmecha - assist: F. Wirtz)
Jamal Musiala's initial shot on the left side of the box is blocked by Armando Obispo, but the Germans regroup. Florian Wirtz and Felix Nmecha connect on a series of passes, with the Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder curling the ball past an unmoving Eloy Room and into the right side of the goal! It's game on in Houston as Germany opens the scoring after just six minutes of action!
Simo Frigolé
3': GERMANY 0-0 CURAÇAO
Free kick for Curaçao in the midfield as Aleksandar Pavlović pushes Jürgen Locadia to the ground. The Caribbean side progressively passed the ball along the right side of the German half, hoping to find an opening somewhere - but Sharel Floranus' long ball misses Locadia and the DFB-Team will get a goal kick.
Free kick for Curaçao in the midfield as Aleksandar Pavlović pushes Jürgen Locadia to the ground. The Caribbean side progressively passed the ball along the right side of the German half, hoping to find an opening somewhere - but Sharel Floranus' long ball misses Locadia and the DFB-Team will get a goal kick.
Simo Frigolé
1': GERMANY 0-0 CURAÇAO
And Germany's twenty-first FIFA World Cup campaign is officially underway! Sontje Hansen with the first kick for Curaçao, who, in blue, will kick left to right. Germany, in their famous white uniforms, will go in the other direction when on the attack.
And Germany's twenty-first FIFA World Cup campaign is officially underway! Sontje Hansen with the first kick for Curaçao, who, in blue, will kick left to right. Germany, in their famous white uniforms, will go in the other direction when on the attack.
Simo Frigolé
The three on-field officials are from Morocco: Jalal Jayed will oversee the proceedings, with Zakaria Brinisi and Mostafa Arkakad covering the lines. South African referee Tom Abongile is the fourth official.
Moroccan VAR official Hamza El Fariq will lead the video team in Dallas, with Colombian Nicolás Gallo and Australian Shaun Evans as his assistants.
Moroccan VAR official Hamza El Fariq will lead the video team in Dallas, with Colombian Nicolás Gallo and Australian Shaun Evans as his assistants.
Simo Frigolé
The two sides are out onto the pitch at NRG Stadium, making their way to the centre circle. "Deutschlandlied" and "Himno di Kòrsou" to play in the coming minutes, followed by the coin toss.
Simo Frigolé
The pre-match presentations are just finishing up in Houston, and both sides are moments away from taking the field. We are now just under 10 minutes away from kickoff.
Simo Frigolé
Germany and Curaçao have never played each other in any competition - this is a historic first. Additionally, this is the first time that Curaçao makes a FIFA World Cup appearance, having won their CONCACAF qualifying group with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda last year. This is the second European opponent that Curaçao faces this year, as they lost 1-4 to Scotland in an international friendly in Glasgow two weeks ago.
Simo Frigolé
And, of course, if you want to read our match preview, where we highlight everything that you need to know about this match, you can find it here:
https://bulinews.com/news/35415/germany-curacao
https://bulinews.com/news/35415/germany-curacao
Simo Frigolé
The confirmed lineups for Julian Nagelsmann's Germany and Dick Advocaat's Curaçao are in this article. Both were released by their national federations within the last hour.
https://bulinews.com/confirmed-fifa-world-cup-2026-lineups-germany-curacao
https://bulinews.com/confirmed-fifa-world-cup-2026-lineups-germany-curacao
Simo Frigolé
Good morning, afternoon, evening - wherever you are in the world, welcome to live Bulinews coverage of the German national football team's journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Over the next 3 hours, we will go through minute-by-minute updates as the DFB-Team face Curaçao in the opening match of their twenty-first FIFA World Cup campaign.
