Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curaçao and Sweden’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia highlighted an action-packed opening round in Groups E and F as the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage gathered momentum.
Germany and Sweden opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns with emphatic victories, while the Netherlands and Japan shared the spoils in one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches as Groups E and F got underway.
In Group E, four-time champions Germany delivered the biggest win of the tournament so far, thrashing Curaçao 7-1 in Houston. Midfielder Felix Nmecha set the tone with a fifth-minute strike that became the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup, helping Germany establish themselves as early favourites to progress from the group.
The group’s other fixture produced late drama as Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia. With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute to hand the African side all three points in their World Cup return. Ecuador had earlier hit the woodwork twice and saw a 19-match unbeaten run come to an end.
Group F also produced plenty of attacking football. The Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in Dallas, earning a point each in a tightly contested encounter.
Sweden then recorded one of the most convincing performances of the opening round, defeating Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey. Yasin Ayari starred with a brace, while Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Mattias Svanberg also found the net as Sweden moved to the top of the group. Tunisia’s lone goal came through Omar Rekik, but the North Africans struggled to contain Sweden’s attack throughout the match.
After the opening round of matches, Sweden lead Group F with three points, followed by the Netherlands and Japan on one point each, while Tunisia sit bottom of the standings.
Attention now turns to the second round of fixtures, where Germany face Ivory Coast in a clash between the two Group E winners, while the Netherlands take on Sweden in what could prove decisive in the race for qualification from Group F.
