Germany are sure to figure prominently in most 2026 World Cup Group E predictions , but the four-time champions have flopped with early exits at the last two editions!
However, perhaps the big question this time is whether any of their opponents are strong enough to test Die Mannschaft’s mettle.
Here, we rank all of the 2026 World Cup Group E teams in reverse order, with our best bet for this section at the bottom:
Group E odds
2026 World Cup Group E Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Germany | 2/7 | 77.8% |
Ecuador | 4/1 | 20% |
Ivory Coast | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Curacao | 100/1 | 1% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Germany (2/7) are expected to avoid another early exit but Ecuador (4/1) and Ivory Coast (7/1) will look to have other ideas.
Group E preview
2026 World Cup Group E Preview
Curacao
4. Curacao @ 100/1
The decision to expand this year’s World Cup to 48 teams opened the door for some new countries to qualify and Curacao , with a population of just over 150,000, seized the opportunity by shading Jamaica in their CONCACAF pool.
To be fair, they have made good progress over the past decade thanks to their Dutch connections, including current head coach Dick Advocaat , one of the game’s great globetrotters.
There are also some familiar faces in Curacao’s squad, including former Manchester United academy graduate Tahith Chong and the well-travelled Leandro Bacuna , but surely The Blue Wave will find these waters too deep.
Ivory Coast
3. Ivory Coast @ 7/1
Les Elephants are back in the big time following a 12-year absence since they completed a hat-trick of World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2014. The worrying factor is that they failed to make it through the group stage at any of those tournaments, despite boasting a golden generation of players that included the likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure and Salomon Kalou .
On the plus side, Ivory Coast were Africa Cup of Nations champions in 2024, qualified for this tournament without conceding a single goal in 10 games and beat South Korea and Scotland to nil in friendlies earlier this year.
Manager Emerse Fae is able to call on Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and stalwarts such as Franck Kessie and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe .
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Ecuador
2. Ecuador @ 4/1
La Tri have suffered three early exits from four World Cup appearances since first qualifying in 2002 but will have high hopes of at least matching their last-16 showing in 2006 after finishing second in the South American pool.
Little-known coach Sebastian Beccacece lost his opening match in Brazil but then steered Ecuador to five wins and six draws from the next 11 qualifiers, conceding only one goal in those fixtures and culminating with a 1-0 defeat of runaway table toppers Argentina .
PSG defender Willian Pacho and Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo are standout performers in a team that is defensively strong, but the fact that they still rely heavily on 36-year-old Enner Valencia for goals up front is a concern.
Germany
1. Germany @ 2/7
As already mentioned, Die Mannschaft had to hang their heads in shame after going home early in 2018 and 2022, which was a sad fall from grace following on from a fourth outright triumph in Brazil in 2014.
Germany got somewhat back on track by reaching the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, though, having impressed until losing 2-1 to Spain after extra-time, and they again showed glimpses of their former sparkle in making last year’s Nations League semis.
Bright young boss Julian Nagelsmann has played a big part in rejuvenating the nation and has the benefit of a balanced squad, with the old guard of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Antonio Rudiger , Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry laying the platform for younger players like Florian Wirtz to shine in the Germany World Cup 2026 party.
Group E Best Bet
2026 World Cup Group E Best Bet
Germany/Ecuador straight forecast @ 11/10
It would be nice if Die Mannschaft had a bit more quality up front, but they should still be too powerful in this pool and the emerging force of Ecuador can see off Ivory Coast for second spot in the World Cup Group E table .
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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