Germany has punched their ticket to the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the third nation to advance to the knockout stage. The four-time world champions secured their place with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cote d’Ivoire in their second Group E match on Saturday evening.
After dismantling Curacao in their opening fixture, Julian Nagelsmann’s side found themselves trailing early against the Ivorians. Franck Kessie gave the African team a surprise lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in the German defense.
However, the German resilience shone through in the second half. Substitute Deniz Undav emerged as the hero, scoring twice to turn the match around. His first goal came from a precise cross, while the second was a clinical finish from inside the box, ensuring all three points for the European giants.
Germany now joins co-hosts Mexico and the United States, who had already booked their spots in the Round of 32 earlier in the tournament. The three teams have set the standard for the competition, which features an expanded format for the first time.