Fifa World Cup 2026: Can Germany & Netherlands join Scotland as European winners

Route to North America

Germany vs Curacao (18:00 BST)

Germany's route to qualifying for the World Cup was rather straightforward. They won five matches out of six in qualifying to progress through top spot, having faced Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg home and away.

Meanwhile, Curacao played 10 matches in qualifying across two rounds - winning seven and drawing three.

They beat Haiti, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Aruba in the second round and in round three, finished top of their group following home and away matches against Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda.

Facing Germany poses a much tougher task, but Curacao can take plenty of encouragement from how well they performed in qualifying.

Koeman embraces 'pressure' to go far

Netherlands v Japan (Sun, 21:00 BST)

Netherlands

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman says "pressure" is driving progress as his side bid to reach a fourth World Cup final.

The Dutch were runners up at successive tournaments in 1974 and 1978 - before falling short again in 2010.

Ranked eighth in the world, the Netherlands' qualification campaign was strong, conceding four goals as they won six of their eight games.

First brought into the national team set-up in 2018, Koeman's mandate was to revive the Netherlands after they failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup and EURO 2016.

The side qualified for EURO 2020 under his management before he departed for Barcelona - then returned to manage his country in 2023 following the resignation of Louis van Gaal.

At his country's twelfth World Cup finals, Koeman is embracing the possibility of going deep into the tournament.

“We put a lot ​of pressure on ourselves,” Koeman said in a news conference.

“We want to go far ​in the tournament. We have a strong team and we know what ⁠we need to improve to have a real chance."

Smaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history

Germany v Curacao (18:00 BST)

Curacao

A stunningly beautiful small Caribbean island, with a huge Dutch influence but fiercely proud of their own heritage - Curacao has, until now, possibly been most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name.

But that is all about to change as they prepare to make history as the smallest nation ever, by size and population, to take part in a World Cup.

Smaller than the Isle of Man and with a population of 158,000 - less than 40 UK cities and towns - they are not even a fully sovereign nation, being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"It brings so much joy and pride to the island that you can't describe it. The whole island is turning blue," Curacao Football Federation (FFK) president Gilbert Martina told BBC Sport.

Only one of their World Cup squad, Sheffield United midfielder Tahith Chong, was born on the island - with the other 25 players all hailing from the mainland Netherlands.

Advocaat set to make history

Germany v Curacao (18:00 BST)

Emlyn Begley

BBC Sport in Houston

Curacao boss Dick Advocaat, 78, will become the oldest manager in World Cup history today.

In yesterday's news conference, he said it will be a "big difference" to managing South Korea or the Netherlands at the tournament.

"These teams were under more pressure," he said.

"We have everything to win and nothing to lose because the pressure is not high."

A 72-place gap in Fifa's rankings

Germany v Curacao (18:00 BST)

Less World Cup and more FA Cup, the fixture between Germany and Curacao has the makings of an upset. Albeit, on paper at least.

Germany start the day 10th in Fifa's world rankings, 72 places above World Cup debutants Curacao.

Haiti and New Zealand are the only World Cup nations below Curacao in the rankings.

As well as being one of the best nations in world football, Germany are also one of the most successful teams in World Cup history. Not many nations could have been a tough first test for Curacao, nor will there be many fixtures that have a bigger gap in the world rankings.

But as we've already seen at this World Cup, never say never. Curacao have been dancing their way to this tournament in recent weeks, but will they still be as jovial at full-time this evening?

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We're yet to have a major upset after eight games of this World Cup - Morocco have probably come closest by holding five-time champions Brazil to a draw.

Will we get one today?

Only one European nation - Scotland - has picked up a win so far. Anything but a win for Germany against Curacao would be a huge shock, right?

Get in touch and let us know if you think we could see one of the big nations slip up.

Coming up next

Now it's time to look at what's on the agenda over the next 24 hours.

If you're not up on your flag game then I'll take you through the upcoming fixtures.

There's a double-header in Texas with Germany taking on Curacao (18:00 BST) and Netherlands facing Japan (21:00).

At midnight, Ivory Coast take on Ecuador in Pennsylvania.

And for you early risers it's Sweden v Tunisia in Guadalupe, Mexico at 03:00.

How far will Scotland go?

Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Opta have updated their predictions for Scotland's World Cup campaign after Steve Clarke's side went top of Group C with a win over Haiti last night.

According to Opta, it is very likely that Scotland will advance to their first ever World Cup knockout stage.

Their chance of winning that historic first knockout game and reaching the last 16? 29.06%.

Then what about the rest of the tournament? Here's what Opta thinks:

Quarter-final: 10.25%

Semi-final: 3.12%

Final: 1.04%

Champions? 0.3%

'Right call' to start McGinn

FT: Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Paul Lambert

Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

On Steve Clarke saying it was a hard decision to start with John McGinn over Ryan Christie:

It was the right call because I think [Ben] Gannon-Doak was the best player last night. It worked moving John to the left and having Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay in the middle.

When you do that you become a bit lightweight in the middle of the pitch, so I don't think he will do that against Morocco.

'No-one has had this much fun' as McGinn

FT: Haiti 0-1 Scotland

There was a discussion before Scotland's match against Haiti about whether manager Steve Clarke might start Ryan Christie over John McGinn.

Christie put in an eye-catching performance in their warm-up friendly win over Bolivia.

Yet McGinn is on something of a roll at the moment, as sport writer Barney Ronay noted on X, external: "John McGinn’s last five games: beat Liverpool, beat Man City, win the Europa League, beat Bolivia 4-0, score at the World Cup. No-one has had this much fun in the last month."

Watching friend John McGinn score 'made my evening'

FT: Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Scot Kevin Donnelly spoke to 5 Live Breakfast from outside Boston Stadium, hours after watching friend John McGinn score the only goal of their 1-0 win over Haiti:

"The best result of the night would have been if the [taxi] driver had turned up, I'm still outside the stadium trying to get home.

"But I'm absolutely delighted [about the game]. I've known John McGinn since he was a baby - his father is a close friend. The last couple of months for the guy [who helped Aston Villa win the Europa League] have been absolutely superlative.

"He works incredibly hard, he trains hard, he's got a fantastic attitude and for him to get the winning goal and man of the match just made my evening."

Kevin is fully invested in Scotland's World Cup bid, telling 5 Live Breakfast that he has tickets right the way up to the final!

'Big, big player'

FT: Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Paul Lambert

Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

John [McGinn] along with Andy [Robertson] and Scott McTominay - all those guys who have carried the can for so many years deserve so much credit.

With John's goal, he's hit it into the ground, hasn't he? If he hits it clean I don't think it goes in but he's put it into the ground and it's got the deflection. It doesn't matter how you score.

He's been a big, big player for Scotland.

McGinn 'beaming with pride' - and hopes kids around Scotland are too

FT: Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Scotland still have to face Morocco and Brazil - two sides with the potential to go far at the World Cup - on Friday 19 June and Wednesday 24 June respectively.

Steve Clarke and his side know they will need to improve, but match-winner John McGinn says they will relish the victory over Haiti on their return to football's biggest stage.

"We've been through a lot of hurt as a country," McGinn said.

"A generation of supporters haven't seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the parks in a Scotland kit and painting their faces.

"Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they'll be beaming with pride because I am. It sets things up for Friday [against Morocco]."

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