Four-time FIFA World Cup winners Germany gets its campaign underway against debutant minnows Curaçao in Houston.
Later, Netherlands and Japan meet in a clash of continental heavyweights in Dallas before Côte d’Ivoire take on Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Last up, Sweden and Tunisia take centre stage in the picture-perfect Estadio Monterrey.
Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian timesABC Sport Daily podcast: Check out the latest episode
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 2:59am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 2:59am
Live updates: Germany vs CuraçaoMon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:26am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:26amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:26am
62′ Mexican wave time
Still a lot to play for for Curaçao.
But the crowd have clocked off it seems.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:24am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:24am
60′ Chance Germany
Brown comes flying into the penalty area to latch onto another very clever pass inside.
But Room, who is 37, is off his line in an instant.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:22am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:22am
57′ Musiala has a little bit of a limp
He was caught there by a robust trailing leg in a tackle.
It’s the big worry now for Germany that they don’t lose anyone to injury in what is now a foregone conclusion and relatively save three points.
I’m sure the changes won’t be too far away – although the temperature is not too bad inside Houston stadium as a result of the roof being closed.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:20am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:20am
54′ Chance Germany
Another chance for Germany, started by Neuer playing the ball on half way – Germany are so advanced.
Florian Wirtz controlling the ball but his effort is blocked away.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:18am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:18am
54′ Germany comes close to another
Florian Wirtz spins and shoots on the edge of the penalty area but it’s blocked by the defence.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:15am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:15am
50′ Tremendous save by Eloy Room
Germany won a free kick and took it really quickly.
The defence was asleep and Eloy Room has to get his hands up to save Felix Nmecha’s shot.
Room then tees off at his defence, telling them to wake up.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:10am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:10am
47′ Germany has another!
(Getty Images)
A superb finish from Jamal Musiala!
A brilliant start to the second half for Germany.
The through ball to him from Joshua Kimmich was absolutely magic, the run perfect.
It was so good from Germany and any sign that they might have eased off the gas has been dispelled instantly.
Curaçao will need this to not get too bad.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:09am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:09am
46′ Sub for Curaçao
A sub at half time, Jeremy Antonisse coming on for the Blue Wave, Sontje Hansen comes off.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:08am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 4:08am
A bit of naivety perhaps?
Yup, Someone on Curaçao’s defence needs to velcro themselves to Schlotterbeck on those set corners. On the other hand it’s a delight to watch Schlotterbeck’s dynamism compared with the usual standing corner scrabbling.
– Big Ben
You’re absolutely right Big Ben.
Although I do wonder whether a more experienced team will simply glue themselves to the giant German centre back.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:54am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:54am
HT: Germany leads Curaçao 3-1 at the break
(Getty Images)
The minnows gave Germany a hell of a fright there.
But it is Germany who leads 3-1 at half time.
They have been dominant. They have deserved it.
But Curaçao have had their moments, and nobody from the island will ever forget Livano Comenencia’s for as long as they live.
Still a long way to go for them to make more moments, but at half time, Germany are back in control.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:52am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:52am
45+5′ Germany add a third from the spot
(Getty Images)
Cool, calm and collected by Kai Havertz.
Fast feet at the start of his run up, then a slow step and a side-footed finish from the Germany number nine.
Easily done.
Germany will be a lot happier going into half time with a two-goal cushion.
He’s just rolled it in. Lovely.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:51am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:51am
45+3′ Penalty Germany!
Felix Nmecha is clipped in the penalty area.
It looked like a penalty in real time, the referee was well-placed.
Riechedly Bazoer is protesting his case, but he lunged in and there was clear contact.
Nmecha made sure the referee was aware of it but there’s no question it’s a penalty.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:49am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:49am
45+2′ Curaçao chance!
That’s nice!
Curaçao moving the ball up field after Germany wrongly appeal for a throw in.
Sontje Hansen gets up field, weaves around and then fires a shot along the ground towards goal, but Neuer makes a comfortable save.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:48am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:48am
45′ HEROIC DEFENDING FROM CURAÇAO
Brilliant blocking!
Brilliant, backs against the wall defending!
Brown, Pavlović, both have fierce drives that are blocked by Curaçao defenders.
There will be four additional minutes at the end of the first half.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:47am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:47am
45′ Curaçao defends a couple of corners
Nico Schlotterbeck is the target both times and both times the defence stands tall.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:41am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:41am
38′ Germany back in front!
(Getty Images)
A brilliant corner from Brown.
Another clear header from Nico Schlotterbeck.
And this time it’s in the back of the net.
The Curaçao defence looks stunned.
But they had been warned. Nobody tracked his run – Livano Comenencia just losing him in the chaos of the corner.
Relief in Germany.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:38am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:38am
35′ Chance Curaçao
Juninho Bacuna is almost blocked by the referee on the edge of the penalty area, but gets past him, out-muscles his defender and powers a shot over the bar from distance.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:35am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:35am
33′ ANOTHER BRILLIANT BLOCK!
Deveron Fonville this time!
The pass to Leroy Sané in the penalty area was perfect, inch perfect through a maze of legs.
He shoots back across him but it’s a lovely block once more by the Netherland-born defender.
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:33am
Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 3:33am
30′ BRILLIANT BLOCK!
Livano Comenencia with a last-ditch block as Germany once again builds nicely at the back.
The ball fell to Aleksandar Pavlovic who sends a shot goalward with serious intent, but Comenecia makes a last-ditch diving stop.
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