For a team that has won four World Cups (thrice as West Germany and once as unified Germany), there is little talk about Die Mannschaft being among the favourites leading into the 2026 edition. A reason could be their group stage exits in the past two World Cups. They are currently ranked 10th in the world, but under an adaptable coach in Julian Nagelsmann and with talents such as Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Jonathan Tah, they could make a more than decent run.
Every World Cup has a couple of dark horse teams, but 2026 seems to have a full stable. Ecuador are near the top of that list. Their best till now at the World Cup was a round of 16 appearance in the 2006 edition, which they could better this time. Especially if Moises Caicedo and Willian Pacho show up.
Ivory Coast don’t have the star power of a Didier Drogba or a Yaya Toure, but they could unite to sneak through into the next round if all goes well. There hopes will rest largely on winger Nicolas Pepe and the box-to-box midfielder Franck Kessie.
First-timers Curacao round out the group, having become the smallest nation to ever appear at the World Cup. They have another distinction: their coach Dick Advocaat, 78, will become the oldest coach to be part of the World Cup. However, the team, ranked 82nd in the world, would find it extremely hard to advance from a group that has more fancied teams, including a former champion.
Germany: Florian Wirtz
The 23-year-old is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, but had an underwhelming first season, by his standards, with Liverpool, which bought him for a reported fee of 100 million pounds. He eventually found his feet and, fortunately for the team, now looks closer to his best leading up to the World Cup, his first. “This year’s competition is coming at a good time for me because I feel really sharp,” he told FIFA. “I can’t wait.” Neither can German fans.
Ecuador: Moises Caicedo
Having made more than 100 appearances for Chelsea, Caicedo has shown that he can more than hang with the best in the world’s top league. A versatile midfielder who can play box to box, the 24-year-old will be Ecuador’s engine this World Cup, and could end up deciding its fate. “We can’t settle for just qualifying: we know we’re capable of more,” he told FIFA. “We’re raring to take that next step so that the days when simply qualifying was the be-all and end-all are confined to the past.”
Ivory Coast: Nicolas Pepe
The 31-year-old has been with the Ivory Coast team for 10 years, and is currently with Villareal. The former Arsenal winger was in contention for the La Liga player of the season award with eight goals and as many assists. “I’m 30 now and I don’t see myself staying with the national team until 34 to play at the next World Cup,” The Guardian quoted him as saying. And that might just add more fire to his campaign.
Curacao: Leandro Bacuna
The joint most-capped for Curacao is also the team’s brightest hope this World Cup. Along with his younger brother Juninho, the former Aston Villa right-back will lead the team in its first World Cup appearance. Though hopes might not be too high for the islanders, a chance to impress at the world stage can often spark something deep within the team. And sometimes, a spark is all one needs. “We are there for the first time, but I have to say that we are not afraid of anyone,” he told FIFA. “We’re going to play our game and just enjoy the moment.”
