Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has warned of Ecuador’s strength, praised Ivory Coast and expressed goodwill towards underdogs in Curacao, but the biggest concern following the 2026 World Cup draw is for favorites France.
The three opponents in Group E are just stepping stones, and those looking further ahead will see a possible clash with France in the last 16.
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“Unfortunately, in a tournament like this, at some point on the road to success you’re going to face the top teams,” Nagelsmann said.
He emphasized that the French team was certainly not willing to play against the German team early in the game. Nagelsmann said coach Didier Deschamps “didn’t clap when he played against us”.
Nagelsmann likes the difficult prospect, but experience has taught him not to leave too much room for speculation.
“It is important for us to take the first step before taking the second step. At the last World Cup, we were not in such a way to have firm plans at all times,” he said.
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So first Curacao (June 14), then Ivory Coast (June 20), then Ecuador (June 25). Germany will find out where and when FIFA will announce the fixtures later on Saturday.
German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf also warned against looking at the tournament from the wrong perspective.
“We saw this in the group draws at the last two World Cups, when May said ‘workable, simple groups’. We certainly won’t make that mistake,” he said.
Neuendorf was referring to the disastrous performances at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups: Germany failed to reach the knockout stages in both World Cups.
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“I think as long as we play well every game, stay consistent every game and come into the game in a way that we can improve every game, then we don’t have to be afraid of any opponent,” he said.