Julian Nagelsmann is able to call upon veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for Germany’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup, as Die Mannschaft open their campaign against the smallest nation in the tournament’s history, Curacao.
Germany vs. Curacao is the first match to take place in Group E, and will be followed by Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador at midnight later this evening.
There are no Serie A representatives in either squad: Inter’s Yann Bisseck was the most likely Italian-based player to be called up to the Germany squad, but he was not included in Nagelsmann’s 26-man roster despite winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2025-26.
Former Milan defender Malick Thiaw is named among the German substitutes, as are a number of players who have been linked with a move to the Rossoneri over the last few seasons, including Leon Goretzka and Assan Ouedraogo and the Juventus-linked Antonio Rudiger.
Kick-off is due at 18.00 BST.
Germany vs. Curacao: Confirmed line-ups
Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz.
Subs: Baumann, Neubel, Rudiger, Anton, Raum, Thiaw, Goretzka, Leweling, Gross, Stiller, Amiri, Ouedraogo, Beier, Undav.
Curacao (4-4-2): Room, Floranus, Obispo, Bazoer, Fonville; J.Bacuna, Comencia, L.Bacuna, Chong; Locadia, Hansen
Subs: Bodak, Doornbusch, Sambo, Gaari, Van Eijma, Brenet, Roemeratoe, Martha, Felida, Antonisse, Noslin, Margaritha, Kuwas, Kastaneer.
