Overview
- Coach Julian Nagelsmann called the group manageable but cautioned against looking past the first phase, stressing a step-by-step approach after recent World Cup exits.
- Assigned to the tournament’s Eastern chapter, the DFB is narrowing base-camp options in the U.S. Southeast with a decision expected by mid-January to minimize travel to likely venues such as Philadelphia, Toronto and East Rutherford.
- The DFB canceled the March 30 friendly in Stuttgart against Ivory Coast due to the group pairing and is seeking a new opponent, while fixtures on May 31 vs Finland (Mainz) and June 6 vs the United States (Chicago) remain scheduled.
- Bracket analyses indicate Germany could meet France in the round of 16 if it tops Group E, with FIFA set to release the precise match schedule and venues shortly.
- Group opponents present varied tests: Curaçao is a World Cup debutant and the smallest qualifier, Ivory Coast arrives as Africa Cup champion with a rugged defense led by Evan N'Dicka and Odilon Koussounou, and Ecuador qualified strongly behind Argentina with standouts Enner Valencia, Moisés Caicedo and Piero Hincapié.