Four-time World Cup winners Germany take on tournament debutants Curacao in their opening Group E clash at Houston Stadium.
Group E
Monday, 15 June | Houston Stadium
Kick-off time
01:00 (GMT+8)
The match
History will be made in this Group E affair as Curacao will play their first FIFA World Cup™ match when they take on four-time champions Germany. The Caribbean side, under the guidance of veteran head coach Dick Advocaat, delivered a Concacaf qualifying campaign for the ages by edging Jamaica in Group B to reach these global finals, while the Germans overcame a slow start in UEFA qualifying Group A to punch their North American ticket. Not only is it the first World Cup match-up between the two nations, but their first encounter ever.
Possible Germany starting XI
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Wirtz, Musiala, Sane; Havertz
Possible Curacao starting XI
Room; Fonville, Bazoer, Floranus, Gaari, Obispo; J. Bacuna, Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Chong, Locadia
Houston Stadium
A host of the MLS All-Star game, national team fixtures of both USA and Mexico, as well as three games at the Copa America Centenario in 2016, Houston Stadium has plenty of football pedigree. Opened in 2002, the ground, which is also home to the famous Houston Rodeo, has a retractable roof and is famed for its ‘Bull Pen’ section, which houses the loudest section of NFL side Houston Texans’ home support.