Ecuador can all but guarantee a place in the World Cup knockout stages tonight with a win over Germany.
The South Americans are without a win so far and could come to rue their inability to beat minnows Curacao last time out.
Germany have had few problems in dispatching Curacao and Ivory Coast and are already guaranteed top spot in Group E.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 |
| Ivory Coast | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Curacao | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
Where to watch Ecuador v Germany: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Thursday is at 21:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Ecuador v Germany stats
- Ecuador started the finals as one of four nations with an even goal difference in World Cup history, alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland and East Germany
- This is Ecuador’s fifth participation at a World Cup. The only time they reached the knockout stage was in 2006, when they were eliminated by England in the last 16
- Ecuador finished second behind Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, equalling their best-ever performance in such a campaign for the tournament (also 2002)
- They had the strongest defense in the section, conceding five goals across 18 matches, and lost the fewest games (2 away defeats, against Argentina and Brazil)
- Valencia scored three goals each at the 2014 and 2022 finals and was involved in more than half of Ecuador’s goals in qualifying, scoring six and assisting two
- Sebastian Beccacece is the fifth individual to lead Ecuador at a World Cup; with three Colombians and two Argentineans, including Beccacece
- Germany will enter the knockout stage for the first time since winning the World Cup 12 years ago
- They recovered from a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening qualifier for this edition – a first-ever World Cup qualifying away loss – to win all of their remaining matches in the campaign, signing off with a 6-0 home win over The Falcons
- Die Mannschaft won the tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 but were knocked out by Bulgaria in the last eight when it was held in the US 32 years ago
- Manuel Neuer was part of the 2014 triumph and has 126 caps. Before these finals, the goalkeeper’s last appearance for his country had been in a EURO 2024 quarter-final defeat by Spain
- This is Julian Nagelsmann’s first World Cup as head coach. At 38, he is the youngest boss to take charge of a team at the 2026 tournament, with the last head coach to win the World Cup in his 30s being Cesar Luis Menotti with Argentina in 1978 (39)
