FIFA World Cup Group E preview: Nagelsmann looks to restore glory for Germany

MADRID, June 5 — Germany heads to the World Cup looking to move beyond the disappointments of 2018 and 2022 while a resilient Ecuador side that proved throughout qualifying it gives nothing away will provide a stern test to its Group E rivals. Cote d’Ivoire also possesses enough quality to trouble any opponent, while Curacao is shaping up as one of the tournament’s potential Cinderella stories. GERMANY The team: Germany enters the World Cup looking to restore its reputation after group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

Former England striker Gary Lineker once said football was a game of 11 against 11, and in the end, the Germans win. However, that was not the case in the last two World Cups. Coach Julian Nagelsmann now has the task of guiding Die Mannschaft back toward its old standards.

There were signs of progress at Euro 2024, where Germany pushed eventual champion Spain to extra time. Although it lost its opening World Cup qualifier to Slovakia, Germany recovered to win its next five matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding just once. Nagelsmanm has a squad blending youth and experience, with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala supported by established figures such as Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger.