Group E leaders Germany get set to lock horns with second-placed Ivory Coast in Matchweek 2 of the 2026 World Cup.
A temporary scare saw Curacao draw level against the four-time World Cup champions at Houston Stadium last week, but Julian Nagelsmann's side bounced back emphatically to record a 7-1 victory.
Borussia Dortmund duo Felix Nmecha and Nico Schlotterbeck were amongst the six different German players on the scoresheet, while Arsenal forward Kai Havertz notched a brace.
It took Ivory Coast until the 90th minute to break the deadlock against Ecuador in their opening contest, with super-sub Amad Diallo netting in the 90th minute to see his nation over the line.
Liverpool target Yan Diomande won Man of the Match for an impressive performance on his World Cup debut, completing five key passes, four successful dribbles and winning 11 duels.
The Germany XI should be well rested after breezing past Curacao six days ago, and Nagelsmann is unlikely to make any changes.
A four-man attack of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz is likely to remain intact after combining well in Matchweek 1, while Bundesliga duo Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha are expected to maintain their partnership in midfield.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger may be pushing for a start, but Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck are likely to be preferred after respectively imposing performances last time out.
As for Ivory Coast, a 1-0 win over Ecuador set the standard in Philadelphia and Emerse Fae may be keen to employ a similar side.
One change, however, could see goalscorer Diallo return to the XI in place of Bazoumana Toure. This alteration would likely see former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe deployed in a more central position alongside Elye Wahi, who has been sanctioned to feature.
Germany v Ivory Coast match info
Match | Germany v Ivory Coast |
Competition | World Cup |
Venue | Toronto Stadium |
Date | Saturday 20th June |
Kick-off time | 21:00 BST |
Odds |
Predicted Germany XI
Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz.
Predicted Ivory Coast XI
Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Wilfried Singo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan, Amad Diallo, Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Yan Diomande, Nicolas Pepe, Elye Wahi.
