Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group E
Germanyvs
Côte d'Ivoire
Saturday, June 20, 2026 · 4:00 p.m. ET · Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), Toronto
Watch: FOX · Telemundo
My pick: Germany win · locked 2026-06-19 11:05 UTCPrediction
Germany to win. Julian Nagelsmann's side announced themselves with a 7-1 demolition of Curaçao and, with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala in this kind of form, carry far more firepower than a well-organised Côte d'Ivoire. The Ivorians edged Ecuador 1-0 and will defend deep and break through Amad Diallo and Simon Adingra, so chances will come the other way — but Germany should have too much. 2-0 Germany.
The case for Germany
60% to winGermany were ruthless against Curaçao, Havertz scoring twice and Musiala and Wirtz orchestrating a seven-goal rout — their biggest World Cup margin since 2014. Nagelsmann has a settled, balanced side and a midfield that can dominate possession; win here and they are through with a game to spare. The depth, the form and the elite creativity all point one way.
The case for Côte d'Ivoire
16% to winCôte d'Ivoire showed steel and a winning habit, Amad Diallo's stoppage-time strike sinking Ecuador. Emerse Faé's side are athletic, compact and carry real threat in transition through Diallo, Adingra and Guessand, with Franck Kessié's experience anchoring midfield. Frustrate Germany, stay in the game past the hour, and a famous result is not fanciful.
Both cases written 2026-06-19, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 24% belongs to the draw.
Germany 4-2-3-14-3-3 Côte d'IvoireThe briefing
Storylines
- Both sides won their openers and sit on three points; the winner all but seals a place in the round of 32 with a game to spare.
- Germany arrive on a high after a 7-1 rout of Curaçao — their biggest World Cup win since the 7-1 against Brazil in 2014 — with Wirtz and Musiala pulling the strings.
- Côte d'Ivoire stunned Ecuador with Amad Diallo's stoppage-time winner and back themselves to spring another upset in transition.
- Played in the open air at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) on a summer afternoon, a midfield duel of Germany's control against Ivory Coast's pace.
The coaches
Julian Nagelsmann Germany
In charge since 2023; an aggressive, possession-based coach building around a young attacking core of Wirtz, Musiala and Sané.
Emerse Faé Côte d'Ivoire
Led Côte d'Ivoire to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil; favours an athletic, compact side that strikes on the counter.
Availability
| Squad | No confirmed suspensions or fresh injuries; Nico Schlotterbeck and an unchanged spine expected, with Deniz Undav pushing Havertz | Sports Mole / Squawka preview · 2026-06-19 |
| Squad | No confirmed suspensions reported after the Ecuador win; Faé expected to name a near-unchanged XI | Squawka / BuliNews preview · 2026-06-19 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FOX in English (free over the air, or stream on Fox One) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (World Cup Pass / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-19)
Weather: Open-air at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) for an afternoon kickoff — typically warm and largely dry mid-June conditions on the lakefront, around 75°F. (Environment Canada seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-19)
Venue: Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), Toronto, Canada — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.