Germany will be looking to make it two wins from two as they face off against Ivory Coast in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday evening. Die Mannschaft hit debutants Curacao for seven in their opener, while Ivory Coast squeezed past Ecuador thanks to a last-gasp Amad Diallo goal. Julian Nagelsmann's side are favourites here and should expect to secure progress to the knockouts with a win.
Match background
Germany's last World Cup triumph in 2014 was their fourth, but they failed to get out of their group in both 2018 and 2022. Ivory Coast finished top of their CAF qualifying group to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Their coach Emerse Fae was appointed midway through their 2023 AFCON campaign and secured the trophy against all odds after a 2-1 final victory over Nigeria.
Key players
Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz looked sharp for Germany against Curacao and should look to build on that performance against the side 30th in the Fifa World Rankings. Kai Havertz is their main option up front, and the Arsenal man scored twice against Curacao to squash doubts over his credentials. Ivorian Yan Diomande - subject of a reportedly failed Liverpool transfer bid - is another player Germany should be wary of. The winger is only 19. Meanwhile Elye Wahi could feature after the Canadian government U-turned on his visa refusal - Wahi is being investigated for match-fixing in France.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Germany vs Ivory Coast is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Saturday, 20th June, 2026. The match will take place at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario.
Where to watch Germany vs Ivory Coast for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST. Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX app or the channel's website. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog. Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA's official YouTube channel, along with ITVX app and their websites.
Germany vs Ivory Coast team news
Germany have no injury concerns ahead of the game. They lost Bayern's Lennart Karl to a pre-tournament injury - he was replaced by RB Leipzig's Assan Ouedraogo. They are likely to go ahead with the same lineup: Musiala, Leroy Sane, Wirtz, and Havertz make up a potent quartet. Wirtz, coming off a difficult season with Liverpool, looked sharp against Curacao.
Germany squad:
- Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel
- Defenders: Joshua Kimmich, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Antonio Rudiger, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw
- Midfielders: Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Lennart Karl, Angelo Stiller, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane, Felix Nmecha, Nadiem Amiri, Pascal Gross
- Forwards: Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, Nick Woltemade, Maximilian Beier
Nicolas Pepe, despite his omission from Ivory Coast's 2026 AFCON squad, was recalled by Fae, who instead left out former Palace forward Wilfried Zaha. Pepe, 30, contributed eight goals and eight assists to aid Villarreal securing Champions League football next season. Amad started on the bench against Ecuador, but his match-winning cameo could see him start.
Ivory Coast squad:
- Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Alban Lafont
- Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Ousmane Diomande, Guela Doué, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo
- Midfielders: Seko Fofana, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulaï, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jean-Michaël Seri
- Forwards: Simon Adingra, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Amad Diallo, Oumar Diakité, Yan Diomande, Evann Guessand, Nicolas Pépé, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi
Germany vs Ivory Coast prediction
Musiala is a technical master who can unlock packed defences. Sane offers pace on the left-wing, while Die Mannschaft's defence is rock-solid. Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck provide a reliable Bayern-Dortmund axis. Germany should, then, have too much quality. But Ivory Coast have Diomande and Diallo, who can decide games in an instant - as the latter did against Ecuador. Expect a tight game, just shaded by Germany. Germany to win, 2-1.
Head to head
An international friendly in 2009 finished 2-2, after a Lukas Podolski brace and goals from Emmanuel Eboue and Seydou Doumbia at the Allianz Arena. Germany wins: 0. Ivory Coast wins: 0. Draws: 1.
Germany vs Ivory Coast match odds
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