Germany opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 7-1 victory over Curaçao at NRG Stadium. F. Nmecha got Germany moving in the 6th minute, assisted by F. Wirtz, before L. Comenencia pulled one back for Curaçao in the 21st. Germany restored control through N. Schlotterbeck in the 38th and a K. Havertz penalty in first-half stoppage time. J. Musiala added a fourth just two minutes into the second half, and N. Brown, D. Undav, and Havertz — his second of the match — completed the rout with goals in the 68th, 78th, and 88th minutes. Germany's 26 shots and 65 percent possession underlined the extent of their dominance; Curaçao managed eight shots and two on target.

The result gives Germany three points and a strong goal difference at the top of Group E after matchday one. Curaçao, outmatched across all statistical categories — including an xG of just 0.4 against Germany's 3.9 — remain without points. Both sides will return to group stage action in the coming days. Undav and Brown each contributed a goal and an assist after coming on as substitutes, with Undav in particular influential after entering in the 64th minute.