Germany and Ivory Coast both opened the 2026 World Cup with wins, which makes Saturday’s clash at BMO Field in Toronto a straight contest for the top of Group E. Germany beat Curaçao 7-1 in their opener. Ivory Coast needed a 90th-minute goal from Amad to edge Ecuador 1-0. Whoever comes out on top tonight takes control of the group.

Germany’s opener was emphatic enough to raise eyebrows across the tournament. Seven goals from a side that had struggled to find consistency over the previous two years sent a message. Die Mannschaft pressed high, scored early, and never let Curaçao back into it.

Ivory Coast were less convincing but found a way to win. Amad’s late goal rewarded patient build-up play that the African side has leaned on throughout qualification. They are compact defensively and carry genuine pace in transition, which makes them a problem for any team that commits too many players forward.

The match kicks off at 9pm BST at BMO Field in Toronto. A win for either side would be a major step toward securing a knockout place with one group game remaining. A draw keeps the group open heading into the final matchday.

Germany have not won the World Cup since 2014, and this squad carries players who were not alive for that victory. For Ivory Coast, reaching the knockout rounds would be the deepest run by an African nation so far in the 2026 tournament. Both teams have reasons to push hard tonight.