Germany open their 2026 World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 win over Curacao, signalling early intent despite lingering questions over their long-term form.
The 2026 World Cup has only just begun, but the spectacle is already proving hard to escape. In Houston, the scale was unmistakably American — vast stadiums, giant screens and oversized crowds setting the tone for football’s biggest stage.
Germany, meanwhile, delivered a statement performance, sweeping past Curacao with a commanding 7-1 victory. While it fell just short of their record World Cup win (8-0 against Saudi Arabia in 2002), the result echoed their famous 7-1 semi-final triumph over Brazil in 2014 and provided an early boost to a side seeking renewed identity on the global stage.
After weeks of discussion around fitness concerns for Manuel Neuer, tactical uncertainty under Julian Nagelsmann, and broader debates about Germany’s recent tournament struggles, the focus finally returned to football.
Inside a cooled, closed-roof stadium in Houston, Germany quickly asserted control. Their passing was sharp, movement fluid, and tempo relentless — a side clearly operating several levels above their opponents, who are ranked 72 places below them in the world.
“You still have to score seven,” said Nagelsmann afterwards, praising his side for meeting expectations.
Felix Nmecha set the tone early, opening the scoring after just five minutes with a composed finish. Jamal Musiala, despite pre-match suggestions he might be rested, looked sharp and energetic, adding another goal following an excellent assist from Joshua Kimmich.
Manuel Neuer, who became Germany’s oldest-ever World Cup starter in this match, initially faced a quiet afternoon. However, he was eventually beaten when Livano Comenencia’s effort deflected off Kimmich and found its way into the net — a historic moment for Curacao, marking their first-ever World Cup goal. The visitors celebrated wildly, with fans and substitutes alike embracing a rare landmark despite the eventual defeat.
Curacao’s equaliser came just before the water break, briefly halting Germany’s momentum. Yet Nagelsmann later suggested the interruption proved useful, allowing his side to reset and refocus.
“The water break actually helped us show the players on the board what we had already prepared,” he said. “We encouraged the team to keep playing the way they did in the first 20 minutes.”
Germany quickly regained control. Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header, Kai Havertz added a penalty before half-time, and Musiala extended the advantage soon after the restart with a clinical finish.
One of the standout performers was Nathaniel Brown, who impressed at left-back — a position that has long troubled Germany. The Frankfurt defender assisted Schlotterbeck’s goal and later scored himself with a well-taken volley, further strengthening his claim for a regular starting role.
Substitutes Deniz Undav and Havertz added further goals as Curacao faded, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
Despite the scoreline, Nagelsmann remained cautious about drawing conclusions.
“Victory over Curacao does not yet define this team,” he said. “We will learn more in the next match.”
Germany now turn their attention to their next fixture in Toronto against Ivory Coast, where a sterner test is expected and a clearer picture of their World Cup credentials may emerge.
