PrepThursday, June 25

Germany Eye Group Glory While Group F Sets Up for Final-Day Drama

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Decision day in Group E sees Die Mannschaft poised to seal top spot against Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire chasing qualification against overmatched Curaçao, while Group F delivers a three-way thriller and the United States can book their knockout ticket.

The pool has faith in the favourites — 56 of you backed Germany and 67 tipped Côte d'Ivoire — but you've split three ways on Japan-Sweden (38 plumped for the draw), betting against the bookies who fancy the Samurai Blue.

Group E: Germany's Coronation and the Elephants' Last Stand

Die Mannschaft arrive at the final whistle of Group E with maximum points (6 from 6, +7 goal difference) and need only avoid a catastrophic defeat to Ecuador to claim top spot. The South Americans sit third on a single point and must win while hoping Côte d'Ivoire slip up — a long shot that has the market unmoved. Bookmakers make Germany overwhelming favourites, with most sportsbooks pricing Ecuador at 8/1 or longer for the upset. Simultaneously, Côte d'Ivoire (second on 3 points, level on goal difference) face bottom-side Curaçao knowing a win guarantees progression and even a draw likely sees them through. The Elephants are priced around 1/5, with Curaçao out at 14/1 — yet only 67 of you backed the African side, and a brave soul still fancies the Caribbean minnows. Ecuador's hopes hinge on veteran striker Enner Valencia staying fit, but recent reports suggest he's carrying a knock from Matchday 2; Germany, meanwhile, welcome back Kai Havertz after a rest and will field close to full strength as Julian Nagelsmann eyes a statement performance.

Group F: The Tightest Race

Group F is deliciously poised: the Netherlands and Japan sit joint-top on 4 points and +4 goal difference, with Sweden lurking one point behind. A win for the Samurai Blue secures top spot outright; a draw keeps them second (provided the Dutch don't lose); even a narrow defeat could see them through if Tunisia do them a favour against the Oranje. Betting markets narrowly favour Japan at home — most books have them around 6/4, Sweden at 9/5, the draw at 2/1 — yet 38 of you plumped for the stalemate, more than backed either outright winner. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has hinted at starting Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma in tandem for the first time this tournament, a pairing that terrified Spain in qualifying; Sweden counter with Alexander Isak, who has three goals in two games and is their main goal threat. Meanwhile, Tunisia (zero points, -8 goal difference) are already eliminated but could play spoiler against a Dutch side that needs only a point to guarantee progression. Louis van Gaal is expected to rotate — Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay may be rested — and the Oranje are priced around 2/7, with Tunisia out at 10/1. The pool has spoken: 70 of you expect a comfortable Dutch win, while only one brave soul backed the Carthage Eagles.

Group D Encore: The United States' Homecoming

Technically yesterday's slate but kicking off in the early hours of Thursday, Group D's final pair sees the United States (6 points, +5 goal difference, already qualified) host Türkiye (zero points, teetering on elimination) in what doubles as a victory lap for the hosts. A draw secures top spot; even a loss likely keeps them first unless Paraguay thrash Australia by a cricket score. The Americans are priced around evens by most sportsbooks — reflecting both home advantage and Türkiye's must-win desperation — and 37 of you predicted a tense 1–1 stalemate, the single most popular pick. Christian Pulisic has been the story of the tournament so far, with four goal contributions in two matches, and is expected to start despite a minor ankle concern. Parallel action sees Paraguay (3 points, -2 goal difference) take on Australia (3 points, level) in a straight shootout for second place: the winner advances, the loser goes home. Bookies make it a coin flip — Paraguay slight favourites at 11/10, the Socceroos at 5/2, the draw at 9/4 — but 37 of you fancied the Guaraní to edge it, trusting Miguel Almirón and the rough-and-tumble South American style to outlast the Aussies' high press. Mathew Leckie returns from suspension for Australia, while Paraguay's Júnior Alonso is a booking away from a suspension that would rule him out of the round of 16.

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