Group E World Cup 2026: Final Standings, Results & Who Qualified
Group E World Cup 2026 is settled. Four-time champions Germany won the group, Ivory Coast took second, and Ecuador sneaked through as one of the best third-placed teams after a shock win over Germany. Debutants Curaçao went out. The group ran June 14 to 25 across the United States and Canada.
Here is the bottom line. Germany finished top on six points despite losing their last game. Ivory Coast also reached six and took second on goal difference. Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 to climb to four points and grab a best-third spot, while Curaçao ended bottom with a historic single point.
Below you get the full schedule with ET kickoff times, live standings, results, the group verdict, and how to watch every Group E game in the US.
Group E World Cup 2026 Teams
Four teams made up Group E. Germany headlined as four-time world champions under Julian Nagelsmann. Ecuador brought CONMEBOL steel, and Ivory Coast offered African pace and power. Curaçao, coached by Dick Advocaat, made history simply by being here. The FIFA World Rankings below were set just before the tournament.
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Ranking | How They Qualified | Best World Cup Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | UEFA | 10 | European qualifying | Champions (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | CONMEBOL | 23 | South American qualifying | Round of 16 (2006) |
| 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | CAF | 33 | African qualifying | Group stage |
| 🇨🇼 Curaçao | CONCACAF | 82 | North American qualifying | Debut (first appearance) |
Tap any team name above for its full and final 26-man squad.
Group E World Cup 2026 Schedule
Group E played six matches across two weeks. Germany opened against Curaçao, and the final two matches kicked off together on June 25. All times below are Eastern Time (ET).
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, June 14 | Germany 7-1 Curaçao | 1:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Sun, June 14 | Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador | 7:00 p.m. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Sat, June 20 | Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast | 4:00 p.m. | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Sat, June 20 | Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao | 8:00 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Thu, June 25 | Ecuador 2-1 Germany | 4:00 p.m. | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Thu, June 25 | Curaçao 0-2 Ivory Coast | 4:00 p.m. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Group E was the only group that crossed into Canada, with Germany’s win over Ivory Coast staged in Toronto. The other matches played out in Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and New Jersey.
Want the full picture? See the complete World Cup 2026 schedule for all 104 matches.
World Cup 2026 Group E Standings
The standings below update live as results come in. The top two teams advanced automatically, and eight of the best third-placed teams also reached the round of 32. Final standings: Germany won Group E on six points and a plus-six goal difference. Ivory Coast also finished on six and took second. Ecuador came third on four and went through as one of the best third-placed teams, with Curaçao bottom on one.
FIFA changed the tiebreakers for 2026, so head-to-head results now come before overall goal difference. If teams finish level on points, the order is head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, then head-to-head goals scored, followed by overall goal difference, overall goals scored, the fair-play record, and finally the FIFA World Ranking.
Group E Results
Germany overwhelmed Curaçao 7-1 in Houston. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring and Livano Comenencia briefly levelled, before Nico Schlotterbeck, a Kai Havertz penalty, Jamal Musiala, debutant Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav, and a second Havertz strike completed the rout. Curaçao still made history as the smallest nation ever at a World Cup. Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia, with Amad Diallo striking in the 90th minute.
On matchday 2, Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto. Franck Kessié put the Elephants ahead, but substitute Deniz Undav struck twice, including a stoppage-time winner, to send Germany through. Ecuador and Curaçao drew 0-0 in Kansas City, where Curaçao earned their first ever World Cup point.
On June 25, Ecuador pulled off the shock of the group, beating Germany 2-1 in New Jersey. Germany still topped the group on goal difference. Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 in Philadelphia to secure second, and Ecuador’s win carried them through as one of the best third-placed teams. Curaçao went out.
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Germany
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Ivory Coast
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Ecuador
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Curaçao
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| 1 | Germany | 2–1 | 7–1 | |||
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 1–0 | ||||
| 3 | Ecuador | 2–1 | 0–0 | |||
| 4 | Curaçao | 0–2 |
How to Watch Group E World Cup 2026 in the US
You had clear options in both English and Spanish. In English, games aired on FOX and FS1, with select matches streaming free on the Tubi app. In Spanish, they aired on Telemundo and Universo, or streamed on Peacock.
The group stage is done. Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador all reached the round of 32, where their knockout dates and opponents follow next.
Who Won Group E?
Germany won Group E. The four-time champions opened with a 7-1 demolition, beat Ivory Coast 2-1, and held top spot on goal difference even after a final-day loss, under Julian Nagelsmann with Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Kai Havertz to call on.
Ivory Coast took second and reached the round of 32 after beating Curaçao. Ecuador produced the upset of the group, beating Germany 2-1 to go through as one of the best third-placed teams. Curaçao bowed out, but left with a historic first World Cup point.
FAQ About Group E World Cup 2026
Who won Group E at the 2026 World Cup?
Germany won Group E with six points and a plus-six goal difference, even after a final-day loss to Ecuador. Ivory Coast also finished on six and took second. Ecuador came third on four and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, while Curaçao finished bottom.
Which Group E teams qualified for the round of 32?
Three teams advanced from Group E. Germany went through as winners, Ivory Coast as runners-up, and Ecuador as one of the best third-placed teams after beating Germany 2-1. Curaçao were eliminated.
Why is Curaçao’s World Cup debut historic?
Curaçao are the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, with a population of about 156,000. The Caribbean island made its debut in 2026, scored against Germany, and earned its first ever World Cup point in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.
How did Germany do at the last two World Cups?
Germany exited in the group stage at both 2018 and 2022, despite winning the title in 2014. In 2026 they bounced back to win Group E and reach the round of 32 under Julian Nagelsmann, despite a final-day loss to Ecuador.
Who coaches Curaçao at the 2026 World Cup?
Dick Advocaat coaches Curaçao and is the oldest manager in World Cup history. The veteran Dutch coach leaned on players with Dutch roots, captained by Leandro Bacuna, whose brother Juninho Bacuna is a key attacking threat.
What channel is Group E on in the US?
In English, Group E matches air on FOX and FS1, with select games streaming free on Tubi. In Spanish, watch on Telemundo and Universo, or stream the feed on Peacock.
Group E World Cup 2026 ended with Germany on top and three teams through. Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador all reached the round of 32, while debutants Curaçao went out with a historic first point. Bookmark this page for live standings and results, and follow all three in the knockouts on FOX, FS1, Telemundo, and Peacock.
