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Germany Faces Upset Risk vs. World Cup Newcomer
16 Apr
Summary
- Germany seeks redemption after back-to-back group stage exits.
- Curacao, smallest nation ever to qualify, debuts against Germany.
- Ivory Coast aims for historic group stage advancement after AFCON win.
Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, enters the tournament under immense pressure to avoid another early exit, having failed to advance from the group stage since winning the title in 2014. Coach Julian Nagelsmann's team features talents like Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, but defensive concerns persist following a recent friendly loss.
Curacao, with a population of about 156,000, makes its World Cup debut as the smallest nation to ever qualify. Their preparation faced a setback with coach Dick Advocaat's departure in February.
Ivory Coast returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, aiming to surpass its group stage history. The team, led by coach Emerse Fae, secured its spot by winning the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing a new generation of stars like Amad Diallo.
Ecuador, qualifying second despite a points deduction, looks to Moises Caicedo, the most expensive British soccer player ever, and top scorer Enner Valencia to help them advance beyond the group stage for only the second time in their history.
