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Arun - June 20, 2026
Germany and Ivory Coast meet at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday evening in the standout Group E fixture of matchday two, with both sides having won their openers. Germany sit top after their stunning 7-1 demolition of Curacao, while Ivory Coast are second after Amad Diallo’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win over Ecuador.
A win here for either side would put them on the verge of the knockout rounds before the final group game. Our Germany vs Ivory Coast prediction has the full breakdown.
Julian Nagelsmann has no injuries or suspensions and is expected to name a side very close to the eleven that tore Curacao apart on matchday one. Germany’s 7-1 victory was their biggest World Cup winning margin since the famous destruction of Brazil in 2014, with Kai Havertz scoring twice and Jamal Musiala, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also getting on the scoresheet.
The one selection debate heading into this game is whether Nagelsmann brings in Undav to start in place of Leroy Sane.
Sane was among the less impressive performers against Curacao, while Undav made a strong impact from the bench, scoring once and providing two assists.
The Stuttgart forward now has three goals and two assists across his last three Germany appearances. Despite that form, Sane is still expected to start, with Undav providing the option to change the game from the bench.
Manuel Neuer continues in goal. Joshua Kimmich and Nathaniel Brown are the full-backs, with Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck as the central defensive partnership. Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha anchor the midfield. Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane support Kai Havertz up front.
Nagelsmann may also consider Leon Goretzka in place of Nmecha, but no changes are confirmed and the starting eleven from Curacao remains the most likely XI.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Manuel Neuer
Defenders: Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown
Midfield: Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha
Attacking mid: Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz
Forward: Kai Havertz
Ivory Coast have two notable absences to manage heading into this fixture. Evan N’Dicka missed the opener against Ecuador with a hamstring problem and remains a doubt here.
Emmanuel Agbadou started in his place and delivered a solid performance, and is expected to continue alongside Odilon Kossounou in central defence, with Wilfried Singo and Ghislain Konan at full-back.
The bigger story is Elye Wahi. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker was initially denied entry into Canada amid reports of an arrest on suspicion of match-fixing offences in France. However, Wahi has since received travel authorisation and could be available for selection.
Coach Emerse Fae will need to decide whether to restore him to the starting lineup or stick with Ange-Yoan Bonny, who has been pushing for a place. Bazoumana Toure also started against Ecuador but was replaced early in the second half.
The clearest selection decision concerns Amad Diallo. The Manchester United winger came off the bench to score the winner against Ecuador in stoppage time and has an outstanding international record, netting six times since October 2024.
Fae looks set to hand him a starting berth, potentially in place of Nicolas Pepe. Yan Diomande was outstanding against Ecuador, creating five chances, winning eleven duels and making five tackles.
The 19-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder is the player Germany captain Joshua Kimmich specifically highlighted at a press conference this week, drawing comparisons with Kingsley Coman. Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana continue in midfield. Yahia Fofana starts in goal. For all our World Cup 2026 tips and predictions throughout the tournament, head to the hub.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Yahia Fofana
Defenders: Wilfried Singo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Odilon Kossounou, Ghislain Konan
Midfield: Amad Diallo, Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Yan Diomande
Forwards: Ange-Yoan Bonny / Elye Wahi, Bazoumana Toure
