GERMANY ★★★★

Germany is a four-time World Cup champion (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014), second only to Brazil in total finals played. At the 2026 World Cup, Germany plays in Group E against Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao — a comfortable draw on paper after two consecutive group-stage exits (2018, 2022). The head coach is Julian Nagelsmann (since 2023, contract extended through Euro 2028). The new generation's core: Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich.

The "Miracle of Bern" of 1954 remains the defining story. A divided post-war Germany faced Ferenc Puskás's unbeatable Hungary in the final — the same team that had crushed them 8:3 in the group stage. Germany went 0:2 down in the first eight minutes, but in pouring rain scored three — final 3:2. The win became a foundational moment of West German identity. Thirty-six years later in Rome, Andreas Brehme converted a penalty in the 85th minute against Argentina — Germany's third title arrived six months after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Qualifying went smoothly — seven wins from eight in the UEFA group. The team is emerging from a reconstruction phase: a Euro 2024 home quarterfinal loss to Spain in extra time, and a fourth-place finish in the 2024-25 Nations League after losing the semifinal to Portugal. In Group E Germany is the favorite; the main threat is Ecuador. The first match is in Seattle on June 12, then Kansas City. The playoff bracket points to a possible quarterfinal against England.

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