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Comprehensive match preview of Ecuador vs Curacao at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has hit out at Jurgen Klopp for his recent comments regarding Julian Nagelsmann’s tactical choices, insisting that the former Liverpool boss was wrong to "interfere" from the sidelines. Despite Klopp issuing a public apology for his remarks following Germany's dominant 7-1 World Cup opening victory against Curacao, Matthaus believes the damage was already done.

Julian Nagelsmann has dropped a selection bombshell ahead of Germany’s 2026 World Cup opener against Curacao by confirming Manuel Neuer will start in goal. The veteran Bayern Munich shot-stopper is set to make his first appearance for Die Mannschaft in two years as they begin their campaign in Houston.

Four nations will debut at the World Cup this summer, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan all set to grace the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It's 16 years since a newcomer made it into the knockout stages of the tournament, when Slovakia stunned holders Italy to eliminate them in South Africa. So do any of this year's debutants have the potential to replicate such heroics?