Ecuador face a must-win match against Germany on Thursday to keep their World Cup 2026 campaign alive, while Germany have already secured top spot in Group E and can afford to rotate their squad.
Match details and how to watch
The match kicks off at 9pm BST at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. In the UK, it will be broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 8:30pm BST. A live stream is available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC website. Fans can also follow Standard Sport's live blog for updates, and free highlights will be available on FIFA's official YouTube channel, BBC iPlayer, and the ITVX app.
Ecuador's World Cup struggle
Ecuador entered the tournament as a dark horse after finishing above Brazil in CONMEBOL qualifying, conceding just five goals in 18 games. However, a lack of firepower has cost them: a defeat to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curacao leave them with only one point. To advance as one of the best third-placed teams, they likely need a win against Germany. Currently, Ecuador trail Congo DR and Czechia in the third-place standings due to fewer goals scored, but four points could be enough to progress.
Germany's qualification and rotation plans
Germany, four-time world champions, have already qualified as Group E winners after failing to advance past the group stage in 2018 and 2022. Coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to make wholesale changes, potentially resting stars like Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, and Manuel Neuer. Deniz Undav may start to boost his Golden Boot campaign. However, Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with an ankle injury sustained against Ivory Coast.
Team news and predicted lineups
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece has no fresh injury or suspension concerns. He may stick with the same formation that failed to score against Curacao, where goalkeeper Eloy Room made a tournament-high 15 saves, or switch to a more attacking setup. Germany's squad includes goalkeepers Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel; defenders Joshua Kimmich, David Raum, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Antonio Rudiger, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw; midfielders Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Assan Ouedraogo, Angelo Stiller, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane, Felix Nmecha, Nadiem Amiri, Pascal Gross; and forwards Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, Nick Woltemade, Maximilian Beier.
Prediction and head-to-head
Germany have looked vulnerable on the counter-attack even with their strongest team, so rotation could give Ecuador hope. However, Ecuador have struggled to score, managing just one goal in two games. A 1-1 draw is predicted, which would likely eliminate Ecuador. Head-to-head, Germany have won both previous meetings, with Ecuador yet to score or take a point.
Match odds
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