Germany, Ivory Coast not looking too far ahead as Group E results come into focus

Germany’s win over Ivory Coast and a 7-1 rout over Curaçao easily clinched advancement. The Germans will play their final group match against Ecuador on Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J., with seeding in the Round of 32 at stake.

“When you focus on the next step, you will be ready for Ecuador, and also for the next stages,” said Nagelsmann. “We will not do totally different things against Ecuador, we will try to focus on our way, we will try to adapt some little things.

“If you prepare for the next game in a serious way, you will be prepared for the next stage as well.”

Ivory Coast was still in second after the loss to Germany but advancement to the second round was not assured. The Ivorians will play Curaçao on Thursday in Philadelphia.

The Elephants have never made the knockout stage of a men’s World Cup.

“We have one last game (in group play),” said winger Amad Diallo. “We respect Curaçao but we want to make history for (Ivory Coast).

“We’re going to go there with a good mentality and try to win the game.”

Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae said his team can’t look past Curaçao.

“We know it’s going to be a fight and we’re going to try and do as much as possible,” said Fae. We know that they’re going to be determined and they’re not going to hand it over on a silver platter.

“We’ve got our destiny in our hands, or at our feet, to get to the Round of 32.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Germany, Ivory Coast not looking too far ahead as Group E results come into focus

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