Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao are all bidding to reach the knockout stages of World Cup 2026 as Group E reaches its climax. Germany, the four-time champions, are through to the knockout stages for the first time since their 2014 victory, having beaten Ivory Coast late on to seal their place as group winners.
It means it’s all to play for between the other three teams. Germany will play Ecuador in New Jersey, with the South Americans needing to win to advance. The same scenario applies to tiny Curacao, who are bidding to become the smallest country to reach the World Cup knockout stages after earning a famous point against Ecuador.
With Ivory Coast needing to avoid defeat to guarantee their place in the next round, one interested nation will be Scotland: after a humbling 3-0 loss last night to Brazil, the Tartan Army require a combination of results to go their way. In Group E, Scotland desperately need just one of Germany and Ivory Coast to avoid defeat.
Follow the conclusion to Group E with our live blog below:
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and group tables
Struggling to keep track of all the results, fixtures and permutations? Our one-stop-shop has you covered:
What do Curacao need to qualify?
A victory against Ivory Coast would be enough for Curacao to qualify, regardless of results elsewhere and despite their goal difference (which took a huge hit by that 7-1 defeat to Germany). Even if Ecuador also win and beat Germany, Curacao would likely get through in third place by having four points. A draw would not be good enough.
What do Ivory Coast need to qualify?
Despite a late 2-1 defeat to Germany last time out, Ivory Coast are still in a good position: if they avoid defeat to Curacao, they will finish as group runners-up, regardless of Ecuador’s result against Germany.
If Ivory Coast lose to Curacao, they would be leapfrogged by the tiny island nation. If Ecuador then beat Germany, they would be out. But if Ecuador fail to win, Ivory Coast could still go through as one of the best third-placed sides. They would be left on three points, but with a negative goal difference.
What do Ecuador need to qualify?
A win against Germany is a must for Ecuador. The good news is Germany are already through as group winners, so may make wholesale changes. A draw, and therefore finishing on two points, would not be good enough to go through in third place. Even if Ivory Coast also win, Ecuador would likely get through in third place with a win by having four points.
How Group E looks
Here are the last two fixtures in Group E.
25 June, 9pm: Ecuador v Germany – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
25 June, 9pm: Curacao v Ivory Coast – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
And how the table looks:
Germany vs Ecuador LIVE
World Cup Group E is set to be settled as Ecuador, Curacao and the Ivory Coast battle to join Germany in the knockout rounds. As with all final-round fixtures, the two games in the group will kick off simultaneously – it could be a hectic and heated evening.
The action gets underway at 9pm BST.
